Peer-Reviewed Journal Details
Mandatory Fields
Ghoshal, T.; Shaw, M. T.; Holmes, J. D.; Morris, M. A.
2015
March
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
Reduction and control of domain spacing by additive inclusion: morphology and orientation effects of glycols on microphase separated PS-b-PEO
Published
()
Optional Fields
450
141
150
Cylindrical phase polystyrene-b-polyethylene oxide (PS-b-PEO) block copolymer (BCP) was combined with lower molecular weight poly/ethylene glycols at different concentrations and their effect on the microphase separation of BCP thin films were studied. Well-ordered microphase separated, periodic nanostructures were realized using a solvent annealing approach for solution cast thin films. By optimizing solvent exposure time, the nature and concentration of the additives etc. the morphology and orientation of the films can be controlled. The addition of the glycols to PS-b-PEO enables a simple method by which the microdomain spacing of the phase separated BCP can be controlled at dimensions below 50 nm. Most interestingly, the additives results in an expected increase in domain spacing (i.e. pitch size) but in some conditions an unexpected reduction in domain spacing. The pitch size achieved by modification is in the range of 16–31 nm compared to an unmodified BCP system which exhibits a pitch size of 25 nm. The pitch size modification achieved can be explained in terms of chemical structure, solubility parameters, crystallinity and glass transition temperature of the PEO because the additives act as PEO ‘stress cracking agents’ whereas the PS matrix remains chemically unaffected
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00219797
10.1016/j.jcis.2015.03.022
Grant Details