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Robertson M, Zhou Q, Ye C, Qiang Z. Developing Anisotropy in Self-Assembled Block Copolymers: Methods, Properties, and Applications. Macromol Rapid Commun 2021; 42:e2100300. [PMID: 34272778 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202100300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Block copolymers (BCPs) self-assembly has continually attracted interest as a means to provide bottom-up control over nanostructures. While various methods have been demonstrated for efficiently ordering BCP nanodomains, most of them do not generically afford control of nanostructural orientation. For many applications of BCPs, such as energy storage, microelectronics, and separation membranes, alignment of nanodomains is a key requirement for enabling their practical use or enhancing materials performance. This review focuses on summarizing research progress on the development of anisotropy in BCP systems, covering a variety of topics from established aligning techniques, resultant material properties, and the associated applications. Specifically, the significance of aligning nanostructures and the anisotropic properties of BCPs is discussed and highlighted by demonstrating a few promising applications. Finally, the challenges and outlook are presented to further implement aligned BCPs into practical nanotechnological applications, where exciting opportunities exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Robertson
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, 39406, USA
| | - Qingya Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Changhuai Ye
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Zhe Qiang
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, 39406, USA
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Toth K, Osuji CO, Yager KG, Doerk GS. Electrospray deposition tool: Creating compositionally gradient libraries of nanomaterials. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2020; 91:013701. [PMID: 32012628 DOI: 10.1063/1.5129625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Electrospray deposition (ESD) enables the growth of solution deposited thin films in a precise and continuous manner by the delivery of submicron droplets of dilute solutions to a heated substrate. By combining ESD with programmable motor control and gradient solution pumping in a first-of-its-kind user tool at the Center for Functional Nanomaterials at Brookhaven National Laboratory, we show the ability to create one or two dimensional compositional gradient nanoscale films via ESD. These capabilities make it possible to construct thin film multicomponent "libraries" on a single substrate to rapidly and systematically characterize composition-dependent properties in a variety of material systems such as thin films involving homopolymer and block copolymer blends. We report the design, construction, and validation of a gradient ESD tool that allows users to carefully control the jet stability, flow composition, spray position, and substrate temperature. Calibrated thin films range in thickness from tens to hundreds of nanometers. We demonstrate gradient thin films using a ternary dye triangle as well as a gradual blending of polystyrene homopolymer with poly(styrene-block-methyl methacrylate) on a single substrate. Paired with the rapid measurement capabilities of synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering, this tool forms an integral part of a new platform for high-throughput, autonomous characterization and design of nanomaterial thin films and soft materials more generally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristof Toth
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA
| | - Chinedum O Osuji
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Kevin G Yager
- Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, USA
| | - Gregory S Doerk
- Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, USA
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Basutkar MN, Majewski PW, Doerk GS, Toth K, Osuji CO, Karim A, Yager KG. Aligned Morphologies in Near-Edge Regions of Block Copolymer Thin Films. Macromolecules 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b01703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Monali N. Basutkar
- Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | | | - Gregory S. Doerk
- Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, United States
| | - Kristof Toth
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Chinedum O. Osuji
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Alamgir Karim
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
| | - Kevin G. Yager
- Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, United States
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Wang HS, Kim KH, Bang J. Thermal Approaches to Perpendicular Block Copolymer Microdomains in Thin Films: A Review and Appraisal. Macromol Rapid Commun 2018; 40:e1800728. [PMID: 30500096 DOI: 10.1002/marc.201800728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2018] [Revised: 11/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Block copolymer thin films are highly versatile and accessible materials capable of producing nanofeatures in the size regime of a few to hundreds of nanometers by a simple spin-coating-and-anneal process. Unfortunately, this simple protocol usually leads to parallel microdomains, which limits the applicability of such nanofeatures. A great deal of effort has been put into achieving perpendicular microdomains, but those that incorporate thermal annealing are arguably the most practical and reproducible in the lab and industry. This review discusses the recent ongoing efforts on various thermal approaches to achieving perpendicular microdomains in order to provide the readers with a toolbox to work with.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Suk Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Hyun Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Joona Bang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
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Abate AA, Vu GT, Pezzutti AD, García NA, Davis RL, Schmid F, Register RA, Vega DA. Shear-Aligned Block Copolymer Monolayers as Seeds To Control the Orientational Order in Cylinder-Forming Block Copolymer Thin Films. Macromolecules 2016. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.6b00816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anabella A. Abate
- Instituto
de Física del Sur (IFISUR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones
Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional del Sur, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Giang Thi Vu
- Institut
für Physik, Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, Staudinger Weg
7, D-55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Aldo D. Pezzutti
- Instituto
de Física del Sur (IFISUR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones
Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional del Sur, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Nicolás A. García
- Instituto
de Física del Sur (IFISUR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones
Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional del Sur, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Raleigh L. Davis
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Friederike Schmid
- Institut
für Physik, Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, Staudinger Weg
7, D-55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Richard A. Register
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Daniel A. Vega
- Instituto
de Física del Sur (IFISUR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones
Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional del Sur, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina
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Bai W, Gadelrab K, Alexander-Katz A, Ross CA. Perpendicular Block Copolymer Microdomains in High Aspect Ratio Templates. NANO LETTERS 2015; 15:6901-6908. [PMID: 26390190 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b02815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Perpendicular orientation of lamellar microdomains in a high interaction parameter block copolymer was obtained within high aspect ratio gratings functionalized with a preferential sidewall brush. The experiments used polystyrene-block-polydimethylsiloxane (PS-b-PDMS) with molecular weight 43 kg/mol within trenches made using interference lithography. The perpendicular alignment was obtained for both thermal and solvent annealing, using three different solvent vapors, for a range of film thicknesses and trench widths. A platinum (Pt) layer at the base of the trenches avoided the formation of a wetting layer, giving perpendicular orientation at the substrate surface. The results are interpreted using self-consistent field theory simulation and a Ginzburg-Landau analytic model to map the energies of lamellae of different orientations as a function of the grating aspect ratio and the surface energies of the sidewalls and top and bottom surfaces. The model results agree with the experiment and provide a set of guidelines for obtaining perpendicular microdomains within topographic features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wubin Bai
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Karim Gadelrab
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Alfredo Alexander-Katz
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Caroline A Ross
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge Massachusetts 02139, United States
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Choo Y, Hu H, Toth K, Osuji CO. Sequential deposition of block copolymer thin films and formation of lamellar heterolattices by electrospray deposition. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/polb.23913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Youngwoo Choo
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering; Yale University; Connecticut 06511 New Haven
| | - Hanqiong Hu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering; Yale University; Connecticut 06511 New Haven
| | - Kristof Toth
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering; Yale University; Connecticut 06511 New Haven
| | - Chinedum O. Osuji
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering; Yale University; Connecticut 06511 New Haven
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