The use of block copolymer (BCP) thin films to generate nanostructured surfaces for device and other
applications requires precise control of interfacial energies to
achieve the desired domain orientation. Usually, the surface
chemistry is engineered through the use of homo- or random
copolymer brushes grown or attached to the surface. Herein,
we demonstrate a facile, rapid, and tunable approach to surface
functionalization using a molecular approach based on
ethylene glycol attachment to the surface. The effectiveness of the molecular approach is demonstrated for the microphase separation of PS-b-PMMA and PS-b-PDMS BCPs in thin films and the development of nanoscale features at the substrate.