Applied Chemical Engineering

XPS-Based Chemical Mapping of Interfacial Bonding in FDM-AM Polymer Surfaces

Smai ail salam

Department of Analytics Laboratories, Al-Farahidi University, Baghdad, 10111,Iraq

Mohammed Fadhil Abbood

Legal Affairs Department, Iraqia University,Baghdad,10111,Iraq

Sarah salam Ali

Department of Analytics Laboratories, Al-Farahidi University, Baghdad, 10111,Iraq

Hayder Hamid Abbas Al-Anbari

College of Pharmacy, Ahl Al-Bayt University, Kerbala,13004, Iraq

Muntadher Abed Hussein

Al-Manara College For Medical Sciences,University of Manara, Amarah, Maysan, 62001,Iraq

Fakhri Alajeeli

Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Al-Hadi University College, Baghdad, 10011, Iraq

Ameer Hassan Idan

Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Al-Zahrawi University College, Karbala,56001, Iraq

Hayder Abdulhasan Hammoodi

Department of Dentistry, Mazaya University College, Dhi Qar,21974, Iraq

Sanan Thaer Abdalwahab

Microbiology, Clinical Immunology, Al-Turath University, Baghdad, 10013, Iraq

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/ace.v8i4.5755

Keywords: X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS); Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM); Additive Manufacturing (AM); Polymer Interfaces; Interfacial Bonding; Surface Chemistry; Chemical Mapping; Layer Adhesion

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Abstract

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), a widely adopted additive manufacturing (AM) process for polymers, often suffers from weak interfacial bonding between printed layers, which limits the mechanical reliability of fabricated components. In this work, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) was employed as a surface-sensitive analytical technique to chemically map the interfacial regions of FDM-processed polymer specimens. By correlating elemental distributions and chemical states with print-layer orientation, the study reveals distinct interfacial bonding characteristics that govern adhesion at the microscale. High-resolution chemical mapping demonstrates the presence of oxidative species, chain scission fragments, and thermally induced chemical rearrangements localized at interlayer boundaries. These findings provide new insights into the chemical origin of bonding heterogeneity in FDM-AM polymers and highlight XPS as a powerful diagnostic tool for guiding surface modification strategies to enhance interfacial adhesion. The approach establishes a framework for linking interfacial chemistry to mechanical performance, ultimately advancing the design of more reliable polymer-based additive manufacturing applications.

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