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Xu J, Liu Z, Jing L, Chen J. Fabrication of PCDTBT Conductive Network via Phase Separation. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 14:5071. [PMID: 34501162 PMCID: PMC8433801 DOI: 10.3390/ma14175071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Poly[N-9'-hepta-decanyl-2,7-carbazole-alt-5-5-(4',7'-di-2-thienyl-2',1',3'-benzothiadiazole)] (PCDTBT) is a stable semiconducting polymer with high rigidity in its molecular chains, which makes it difficult to organize into an ordered structure and affects the device performance. Here, a PCDTBT network consisting of aggregates and nanofibers in thin films was fabricated through the phase separation of mixed PCDTBT and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Using atomic force microscopy (AFM), the effect of the blending conditions (weight ratio, solution concentration, and molecular weight) and processing conditions (substrate temperature and solvent) on the resulting phase-separated morphologies of the blend films after a selective washing procedure was studied. It was found that the phase-separated structure's transition from an island to a continuous structure occurred when the weight ratio of PCDTBT/PEG changed from 2:8 to 7:3. Increasing the solution concentration from 0.1 to 3.0 wt% led to an increase in both the height of the PCDTBT aggregate and the width of the nanofiber. When the molecular weight of the PEG was increased, the film exhibited a larger PCDTBT aggregate size. Meanwhile, denser nanofibers were found in films prepared using PCDTBT with higher molecular weight. Furthermore, the electrical characteristics of the PCDTBT network were measured using conductive AFM. Our findings suggest that phase separation plays an important role in improving the molecular chain diffusion rate and fabricating the PCDTBT network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianwei Xu
- School of Materials Science & Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450002, China; (Z.L.); (L.J.)
| | | | | | - Jingbo Chen
- School of Materials Science & Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450002, China; (Z.L.); (L.J.)
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2
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Carmona P, Röding M, Särkkä A, von Corswant C, Olsson E, Lorén N. Structure evolution during phase separation in spin-coated ethylcellulose/hydroxypropylcellulose films. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:3913-3922. [PMID: 33710242 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm00044f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Porous phase-separated films made of ethylcellulose (EC) and hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) are commonly used for controlled drug release. The structure of these thin films is controlling the drug transport from the core to the surrounding liquids in the stomach or intestine. However, detailed understanding of the time evolution of these porous structures as they are formed remains elusive. In this work, spin-coating, a widely applied technique for making thin uniform polymer films, was used to mimic the industrial manufacturing process. The focus of this work was on understanding the structure evolution of phase-separated spin-coated EC/HPC films. The structure evolution was determined using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and image analysis. In particular, we determined the influence of spin-coating parameters and EC : HPC ratio on the final phase-separated structure and the film thickness. The film thickness was determined by profilometry and it influences the ethanol solvent evaporation rate and thereby the phase separation kinetics. The spin speed was varied between 1000 and 10 000 rpm and the ratio of EC : HPC in the polymer blend was varied between 78 : 22 wt% and 40 : 60 wt%. The obtained CLSM micrographs showed phase separated structures, typical for the spinodal decomposition phase separation mechanism. By using confocal laser scanning microscopy combined with Fourier image analysis, we could extract the characteristic length scale of the phase-separated final structure. Varying spin speed and EC : HPC ratio gave us precise control over the characteristic length scale and the thickness of the film. The results showed that the characteristic length scale increases with decreasing spin speed and with increasing HPC ratio. The thickness of the spin-coated film decreases with increasing spin speed. It was found that the relation between film thickness and spin speed followed the Meyerhofer equation with an exponent close to 0.5. Furthermore, good correlations between thickness and spin speed were found for the compositions 22 wt% HPC, 30 wt% HPC and 45 wt% HPC. These findings give a good basis for understanding the mechanisms responsible for the morphology development and increase the possibilities to tailor thin EC/HPC film structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Carmona
- Unit Product Design, Department Agriculture and Food, Division Bioeconomy and Health, RISE Research Institute of Sweden, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Division Nano-and BioPhysics, Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Magnus Röding
- Unit Product Design, Department Agriculture and Food, Division Bioeconomy and Health, RISE Research Institute of Sweden, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology and Gothenburg University Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Aila Särkkä
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology and Gothenburg University Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Christian von Corswant
- Oral Product Development, Pharmaceutical Technology & Development, Operations, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Eva Olsson
- Division Nano-and BioPhysics, Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Niklas Lorén
- Unit Product Design, Department Agriculture and Food, Division Bioeconomy and Health, RISE Research Institute of Sweden, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Division Nano-and BioPhysics, Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Ott EJE, Freedman MA. Inhibition of Phase Separation in Aerosolized Water-Soluble Polymer–Polymer Nanoparticles at Small Sizes and the Effects of Molecular Weight. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:7518-7523. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c06535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emily-Jean E. Ott
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Miriam Arak Freedman
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
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Guo S, Lu Y, Wang B, Shen C, Chen J, Reiter G, Zhang B. Controlling the pore size in conjugated polymer films via crystallization-driven phase separation. SOFT MATTER 2019; 15:2981-2989. [PMID: 30912567 DOI: 10.1039/c9sm00370c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A wide range of possible applications in sensors and optoelectronic devices have focused considerable attention on porous membranes made of semi-conducting polymers. In this study, porous films of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) were conveniently constructed through spin-coating of solutions of a blend of P3HT and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Pores were formed by phase separation driven simultaneously by incompatibility and crystallization. The influence of the polymer concentration (c), molecular weight (Mn) and spin-coating temperature (Tsp) on the pore size and structure was investigated. With increasing c from 0.5 to 5.0 wt%, the pore diameter (d) varied from ≈1.3 μm to ≈38 μm. Similarly, we observed a substantial increase of d with increasing Mn of PEG, while changing Mn of P3HT did not affect d. Micron- and nano-scale pores coexisted in porous P3HT films. While incompatibility of P3HT and PEG caused the formation of nano-pores, micron-scale pores resulted from crystallization in the PEG-rich domains by forcing PEG molecules to diffuse from the surrounding PEG-P3HT blend region to the crystal growth front.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaowen Guo
- School of Materials Science & Engineering, Henan Province Industrial Technology Research Institute of Resources and Materials, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450002, People's Republic of China.
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Bhandaru N, Karim A, Mukherjee R. Directed ordering of phase separated domains and dewetting of thin polymer blend films on a topographically patterned substrate. SOFT MATTER 2017; 13:4709-4719. [PMID: 28613314 DOI: 10.1039/c7sm00799j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Substrate pattern guided self-organization of ultrathin and confined polymeric films on a topographically patterned substrate is a useful approach for obtaining ordered meso and nano structures over large areas, particularly if the ordering is achieved during film preparation itself, eliminating any post-processing such as thermal or solvent vapor annealing. By casting a dilute solution of two immiscible polymers, polystyrene (PS) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), from a common solvent (toluene) on a topographically patterned substrate with a grating geometry, we show the formation of self-organized meso patterns with various degrees of ordering. The morphology depends on both the concentration of the dispensed solution (Cn) and the blend composition (RB). Depending on the extent of dewetting during spin coating, the final morphologies can be classified into three distinct categories. At a very low Cn the solution dewets fully, resulting in isolated polymer droplets aligned along substrate grooves (Type 1). Type 2 structures comprising isolated threads with aligned phase separated domains along each substrate groove are observed at intermediate Cn. A continuous film (Type 3) is obtained above a critical concentration (Cn*) that depends on RB. While the extent of ordering of the domains gradually diminishes with an increase in film thickness for Type 3 patterns, the size of the domains remains much smaller than that on a flat substrate, resulting in significant downsizing of the features due to the lateral confinement imposed on the phase separation process by the topographic patterns. Finally, we show that some of these structures exhibit excellent broadband anti-reflection (AR) properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandini Bhandaru
- Instability and Soft Patterning Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal, Pin 721302, India.
| | - Alamgir Karim
- Department of Polymer Engineering and Akron Functional Materials Centre (AFMC), University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, USA
| | - Rabibrata Mukherjee
- Instability and Soft Patterning Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal, Pin 721302, India.
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Toolan DTW, Haq EU, Dunbar A, Ebbens S, Clarke N, Topham PD, Howse JR. Direct observation of morphological development during the spin-coating of polystyrene-poly(methyl methacrylate) polymer blends. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1002/polb.23288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel T. W. Toolan
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering; The University of Sheffield; Mappin Street; Sheffield; United Kingdom
| | - Ehtsham ul Haq
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering; The University of Sheffield; Mappin Street; Sheffield; United Kingdom
| | - Alan Dunbar
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering; The University of Sheffield; Mappin Street; Sheffield; United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Ebbens
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering; The University of Sheffield; Mappin Street; Sheffield; United Kingdom
| | - Nigel Clarke
- Department of Physics and Astronomy; The University of Sheffield; Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road; Sheffield; United Kingdom
| | - Paul D. Topham
- Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry; Aston University; Birmingham; B4 7ET; United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan R. Howse
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering; The University of Sheffield; Mappin Street; Sheffield; United Kingdom
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8
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Ebbens S, Hodgkinson R, Parnell AJ, Dunbar A, Martin SJ, Topham PD, Clarke N, Howse JR. In situ imaging and height reconstruction of phase separation processes in polymer blends during spin coating. ACS NANO 2011; 5:5124-31. [PMID: 21561158 DOI: 10.1021/nn201210e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Spin coating polymer blend thin films provides a method to produce multiphase functional layers of high uniformity covering large surface areas. Applications for such layers include photovoltaics and light-emitting diodes where performance relies upon the nanoscale phase separation morphology of the spun film. Furthermore, at micrometer scales, phase separation provides a route to produce self-organized structures for templating applications. Understanding the factors that determine the final phase-separated morphology in these systems is consequently an important goal. However, it has to date proved problematic to fully test theoretical models for phase separation during spin coating, due to the high spin speeds, which has limited the spatial resolution of experimental data obtained during the coating process. Without this fundamental understanding, production of optimized micro- and nanoscale structures is hampered. Here, we have employed synchronized stroboscopic illumination together with the high light gathering sensitivity of an electron-multiplying charge-coupled device camera to optically observe structure evolution in such blends during spin coating. Furthermore the use of monochromatic illumination has allowed interference reconstruction of three-dimensional topographies of the spin-coated film as it dries and phase separates with nanometer precision. We have used this new method to directly observe the phase separation process during spinning for a polymer blend (PS-PI) for the first time, providing new insights into the spin-coating process and opening up a route to understand and control phase separation structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Ebbens
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield. S1 3JD. U.K
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9
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Thickett SC, Harris A, Neto C. Interplay between dewetting and layer inversion in poly(4-vinylpyridine)/polystyrene bilayers. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2010; 26:15989-15999. [PMID: 20857967 DOI: 10.1021/la103078k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the morphology and dynamics of the dewetting of metastable poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) thin films situated on top of polystyrene (PS) thin films as a function of the molecular weight and thickness of both films. We focused on the competition between the dewetting process, occurring as a result of unfavorable intermolecular interactions at the P4VP/PS interface, and layer inversion due to the lower surface energy of PS. By means of optical and atomic force microscopy (AFM), we observed how both the dynamics of the instability and the morphology of the emerging patterns depend on the ratio of the molecular weights of the polymer films. When the bottom PS layer was less viscous than the top P4VP layer (liquid-liquid dewetting), nucleated holes in the P4VP film typically stopped growing at long annealing times because of a combination of viscous dissipation in the bottom layer and partial layer inversion. Full layer inversion was achieved when the viscosity of the top P4VP layer was significantly greater (>10⁴) than the viscosity of the PS layer underneath, which is attributed to strongly different mobilities of the two layers. The density of holes produced by nucleation dewetting was observed for the first time to depend on the thickness of the top film as well as the polymer molecular weight. The final (completely dewetted) morphology of isolated droplets could be achieved only if the time frame of layer inversion was significantly slower than that of dewetting, which was characteristic of high-viscosity PS underlayers that allowed dewetting to fall into a liquid-solid regime. Assuming a simple reptation model for layer inversion occurring at the dewetting front, the observed surface morphologies could be predicted on the basis of the relative rates of dewetting and layer inversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart C Thickett
- School of Chemistry F11, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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11
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Kawamura K, Yokoi K, Fujita M. Fabrication of Thin Film Surface Templates from Two Immiscible Polymers by Phase Separation and Phototethering. CHEM LETT 2010. [DOI: 10.1246/cl.2010.254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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12
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Yim KH, Doherty WJ, Salaneck WR, Murphy CE, Friend RH, Kim JS. Phase-separated thin film structures for efficient polymer blend light-emitting diodes. NANO LETTERS 2010; 10:385-392. [PMID: 20102212 DOI: 10.1021/nl9025105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
We report laterally and vertically phase-separated thin film structures in conjugated polymer blends created by polymer molecular weight variation. We find that micrometer-scale lateral phase separation is critical in achieving high initial device efficiency of light-emitting diodes, whereas improved balance of charge carrier mobilities and film thickness uniformity are important in maintaining high efficiency at high voltages. The optoelectronic properties of these blend thin films and devices are strongly influenced by the polymer chain order/disorder and the interface state formed at polymer/polymer heterojunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keng-Hoong Yim
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
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13
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Li JL, Yan LT, Xie XM. Phase dynamics and wetting layer formation mechanisms of pattern-directed phase separation in binary polymer mixture films with asymmetry compositions. POLYMER 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2009.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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14
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Kim JK, Taki K, Nagamine S, Ohshima M. Periodic porous stripe patterning in a polymer blend film induced by phase separation during spin-casting. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2008; 24:8898-8903. [PMID: 18642857 DOI: 10.1021/la8000398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
A periodic striping pattern with microscale pore size is observed on the surface of thin films prepared by spin-casting from a polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) blend solution. The pattern is created by the convection generated by thermal gradients in the solution between the substrate and film solution during solvent evaporation, the radial flow of the spin-coated solution, and the primary and secondary phase separation of the PS and PEG solutions. The formation mechanism of the periodic porous stripe pattern is discussed, wherein the effects of the polymer blend weight ratio, polymer concentration, and drying rate on the formation of the periodic porous striping pattern are investigated using scanning electron and atomic force microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Kyung Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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15
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Yan LT, Li J, Li Y, Xie XM. Kinetic Pathway of Pattern-Directed Phase Separation in Binary Polymer Mixture Films. Macromolecules 2008. [DOI: 10.1021/ma702616s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Li-Tang Yan
- Advanced Materials Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Jialin Li
- Advanced Materials Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Yao Li
- Advanced Materials Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Xu-Ming Xie
- Advanced Materials Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
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Wang J, Xia J, Hong SW, Qiu F, Yang Y, Lin Z. Phase separation of polymer-dispersed liquid crystals on a chemically patterned substrate. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2007; 23:7411-5. [PMID: 17521207 DOI: 10.1021/la700565w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The surface-induced structure formation of polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) on a chemically patterned substrate was studied for the first time. The patterns on the substrate were successfully transferred to the PDLC film, resulting in alternating LC-rich and polymer-rich phases. This simple approach offers a new means of organizing micrometer-sized LC domains into well-ordered structures in a polymer matrix of PDLCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
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Raczkowska J, Bernasik A, Budkowski A, Rysz J, Gao B, Lieberman M. Compositional Mismatch between Chemical Patterns on a Substrate and Polymer Blends Yielding Spin-Cast Films with Subpattern Periodicity. Macromolecules 2007. [DOI: 10.1021/ma062614f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. Raczkowska
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagellonian University, Reymonta 4, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; Faculty of Physics and Nuclear Techniques, AGH - University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 39, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
| | - A. Bernasik
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagellonian University, Reymonta 4, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; Faculty of Physics and Nuclear Techniques, AGH - University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 39, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
| | - A. Budkowski
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagellonian University, Reymonta 4, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; Faculty of Physics and Nuclear Techniques, AGH - University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 39, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
| | - J. Rysz
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagellonian University, Reymonta 4, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; Faculty of Physics and Nuclear Techniques, AGH - University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 39, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
| | - B. Gao
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagellonian University, Reymonta 4, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; Faculty of Physics and Nuclear Techniques, AGH - University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 39, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
| | - M. Lieberman
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagellonian University, Reymonta 4, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; Faculty of Physics and Nuclear Techniques, AGH - University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 39, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
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Andrew P, Huck WTS. Polymer phase separation on lattice patterned surfaces. SOFT MATTER 2007; 3:230-237. [PMID: 32680270 DOI: 10.1039/b613593e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate the self-organization of phase-separated polymer microstructures on two-dimensionally chemically patterned surfaces. Pattern replication is expected when both the blend composition ratio matches the surface patterning area ratio, and the pattern periodicity matches the natural phase separation length scale. By varying film thickness and blend composition, we show that ordered morphologies also result for contrary situations, resulting in the formation of a rich variety of hierarchically-ordered microstructures. This hierarchy suggests that non-equilibrium structures generated by incomplete phase separation of blend components are locked in by rapid solvent quenching during casting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piers Andrew
- The Nanoscience Centre, University of Cambridge, 11 J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, UKCB3 0FF.
| | - Wilhelm T S Huck
- The Nanoscience Centre, University of Cambridge, 11 J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, UKCB3 0FF. and Melville Laboratory for Polymer Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, UKCB2 1EW.
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Jaczewska J, Budkowski A, Bernasik A, Raptis I, Raczkowska J, Goustouridis D, Rysz J, Sanopoulou M. Humidity and solvent effects in spin-coated polythiophene–polystyrene blends. J Appl Polym Sci 2007. [DOI: 10.1002/app.26012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Wu KH, Lu SY, Chen HL. Formation of parallel strips in thin films of polystyrene/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) blends via spin coating on unpatterned substrates. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2006; 22:8029-35. [PMID: 16952237 DOI: 10.1021/la060418w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Patterns of parallel strips, consisting of alternating polystyrene (PS) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) regions, were observed in thin films spin cast from a PS/PVP/chloroform solution on unpatterned substrates. The formation of anisotropic patterns, manifested not only in thickness variation but also in composition variation, was found to be driven by Marangoni instability, with the PS and PVP streams flowing toward the preferred regions as the phase separation induced by solvent evaporation proceeded. The initial viscosity of the polymer solution and the thickness of the spin-cast films were lumped into one single parameter to study the phase morphology development at various initial polymer solution concentrations. Interestingly, the ratio of the square of the film thickness to the viscosity, a parameter loosely related to the Marangoni number, was found to reach a maximum value at the concentration where the strip patterns were most well-developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuen-Hua Wu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsin-Chu 30043, Taiwan, ROC
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Yoon BK, Huh J, Kim HC, Hong JM, Park C. Ordered Patterns of Microimprinted Bilayer Polymer Films with Controlled Dewetting and Layer Inversion. Macromolecules 2006. [DOI: 10.1021/ma051953q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Kyung Yoon
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, IBM Almaden Research Center, 650 Harry Road, San Jose, California 95120, and Optoelectronic Materials Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 131, Cheongryang, Seoul 130-650, Korea
| | - June Huh
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, IBM Almaden Research Center, 650 Harry Road, San Jose, California 95120, and Optoelectronic Materials Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 131, Cheongryang, Seoul 130-650, Korea
| | - Ho-Cheol Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, IBM Almaden Research Center, 650 Harry Road, San Jose, California 95120, and Optoelectronic Materials Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 131, Cheongryang, Seoul 130-650, Korea
| | - Jae-Min Hong
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, IBM Almaden Research Center, 650 Harry Road, San Jose, California 95120, and Optoelectronic Materials Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 131, Cheongryang, Seoul 130-650, Korea
| | - Cheolmin Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, IBM Almaden Research Center, 650 Harry Road, San Jose, California 95120, and Optoelectronic Materials Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 131, Cheongryang, Seoul 130-650, Korea
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Yao L, Xuming X, Qi Z, Liming T. Formation of cylindrical phase structure in PMMA/HBP polymer blend films. POLYMER 2005. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2005.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Raczkowska J, Cyganik P, Budkowski A, Bernasik A, Rysz J, Raptis I, Czuba P, Kowalski K. Composition Effects in Polymer Blends Spin-Cast on Patterned Substrates. Macromolecules 2005. [DOI: 10.1021/ma051242s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. Raczkowska
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics and Joint Center for Chemical Analysis and Structural Research, Jagellonian University, Reymonta 4, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science and Faculty of Metallurgy and Materials Science, AGH−University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 39, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; and Institute of Microelectronics, NCRS “Demokritos”, 15310 Aghia Paraskevi, Greece
| | - P. Cyganik
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics and Joint Center for Chemical Analysis and Structural Research, Jagellonian University, Reymonta 4, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science and Faculty of Metallurgy and Materials Science, AGH−University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 39, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; and Institute of Microelectronics, NCRS “Demokritos”, 15310 Aghia Paraskevi, Greece
| | - A. Budkowski
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics and Joint Center for Chemical Analysis and Structural Research, Jagellonian University, Reymonta 4, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science and Faculty of Metallurgy and Materials Science, AGH−University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 39, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; and Institute of Microelectronics, NCRS “Demokritos”, 15310 Aghia Paraskevi, Greece
| | - A. Bernasik
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics and Joint Center for Chemical Analysis and Structural Research, Jagellonian University, Reymonta 4, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science and Faculty of Metallurgy and Materials Science, AGH−University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 39, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; and Institute of Microelectronics, NCRS “Demokritos”, 15310 Aghia Paraskevi, Greece
| | - J. Rysz
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics and Joint Center for Chemical Analysis and Structural Research, Jagellonian University, Reymonta 4, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science and Faculty of Metallurgy and Materials Science, AGH−University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 39, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; and Institute of Microelectronics, NCRS “Demokritos”, 15310 Aghia Paraskevi, Greece
| | - I. Raptis
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics and Joint Center for Chemical Analysis and Structural Research, Jagellonian University, Reymonta 4, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science and Faculty of Metallurgy and Materials Science, AGH−University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 39, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; and Institute of Microelectronics, NCRS “Demokritos”, 15310 Aghia Paraskevi, Greece
| | - P. Czuba
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics and Joint Center for Chemical Analysis and Structural Research, Jagellonian University, Reymonta 4, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science and Faculty of Metallurgy and Materials Science, AGH−University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 39, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; and Institute of Microelectronics, NCRS “Demokritos”, 15310 Aghia Paraskevi, Greece
| | - K. Kowalski
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics and Joint Center for Chemical Analysis and Structural Research, Jagellonian University, Reymonta 4, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science and Faculty of Metallurgy and Materials Science, AGH−University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 39, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; and Institute of Microelectronics, NCRS “Demokritos”, 15310 Aghia Paraskevi, Greece
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Cui L, Peng J, Ding Y, Li X, Han Y. Ordered porous polymer films via phase separation in humidity environment. POLYMER 2005. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2005.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Cui L, Wang H, Ding Y, Han Y. Tunable ordered droplets induced by convection in phase-separating P2VP/PS blend film. POLYMER 2004. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2004.09.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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