Morphological Analysis of Polymers on Hair Fibers by SEM and AFM
December 2003
in “
Materials Research-ibero-american Journal of Materials
”
TLDR Polyquaternium 7® builds up on hair, improving its look and feel, and AFM is good for measuring these changes.
In 2003, a study analyzed the effects of polyquaternium 7® on hair fibers using SEM and AFM. The study concluded that repeated applications of the polymer led to its accumulation on the hair, enhancing the surface appearance and increasing roughness. SEM revealed morphological changes in bleached hair treated with the polymer, indicating the formation of a film. This was corroborated by a decrease in static load and improved ease of combing. The study affirmed that polyquaternium 7® modifies the hair surface and that AFM is a valuable tool for quantifying these changes.
