1
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Magruder BR, Morse DC, Ellison CJ, Dorfman KD. Boundary Frustration in Double-Gyroid Thin Films. ACS Macro Lett 2024; 13:382-388. [PMID: 38478981 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.4c00026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Self-consistent field theory for thin films of AB diblock polymers in the double-gyroid phase reveals that in the absence of preferential wetting of monomer species at the film boundaries, films with the (211) plane oriented parallel to the boundaries are more stable than other orientations, consistent with experimental results. This preferred orientation is explained in the context of boundary frustration. Specifically, the angle of intersection between the A/B interface and the film boundary, the wetting angle, is thermodynamically restricted to a narrow range of values. Most termination planes in the double gyroid cannot accommodate this narrow range of wetting angles without significant local distortion relative to the bulk morphology; the (211)-oriented termination plane with the "double-wave" pattern produces relatively minimal distortion, making it the least frustrated boundary. The principle of boundary frustration provides a framework to understand the relative stability of termination planes for complex ordered block polymer phases confined between flat, nonpreferential boundaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin R Magruder
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 421 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - David C Morse
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 421 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Christopher J Ellison
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 421 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Kevin D Dorfman
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 421 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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2
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Senila L, Botiz I, Roman C, Simedru D, Dan M, Kacso I, Senila M, Todor-Boer O. Processing of Thin Films Based on Cellulose Nanocrystals and Biodegradable Polymers by Space-Confined Solvent Vapor Annealing and Morphological Characteristics. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:1685. [PMID: 38612198 PMCID: PMC11012654 DOI: 10.3390/ma17071685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
L-poly(lactic acid), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), and poly-hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate are biodegradable polymers that can be obtained from renewable biomass sources. The aim of this study was to develop three types of environmentally friendly film biocomposites of altered microstructure by combining each of the above-mentioned polymers with cellulose nanocrystal fillers and further processing the resulting materials via space-confined solvent vapor annealing. Cellulose was previously obtained from renewable biomass and further converted to cellulose nanocrystals by hydrolysis with the lactic acid. The solutions of biodegradable polymers were spin-coated onto solid substrates before and after the addition of cellulose nanocrystals. The obtained thin film composites were further processed via space-confined solvent vapor annealing to eventually favor their crystallization and, thus, to alter the final microstructure. Indeed, atomic force microscopy studies have revealed that the presence of cellulose nanocrystals within a biodegradable polymer matrix promoted the formation of large crystalline structures exhibiting fractal-, spherulitic- or needle-like morphologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lacrimioara Senila
- Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation Subsidiary, National Institute for Research and Development of Optoelectronics Bucharest INOE 2000, 67 Donath Street, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.S.); (C.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Ioan Botiz
- Interdisciplinary Research Institute on Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400271 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Department of Physics of Condensed Matter and Advanced Technologies, Faculty of Physics, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cecilia Roman
- Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation Subsidiary, National Institute for Research and Development of Optoelectronics Bucharest INOE 2000, 67 Donath Street, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.S.); (C.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Dorina Simedru
- Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation Subsidiary, National Institute for Research and Development of Optoelectronics Bucharest INOE 2000, 67 Donath Street, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.S.); (C.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Monica Dan
- National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donath Street, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.D.); (I.K.)
| | - Irina Kacso
- National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donath Street, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.D.); (I.K.)
| | - Marin Senila
- Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation Subsidiary, National Institute for Research and Development of Optoelectronics Bucharest INOE 2000, 67 Donath Street, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.S.); (C.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Otto Todor-Boer
- Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation Subsidiary, National Institute for Research and Development of Optoelectronics Bucharest INOE 2000, 67 Donath Street, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.S.); (C.R.); (D.S.)
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3
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Jung FA, Papadakis CM. Strategy to simulate and fit 2D grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering patterns of nanostructured thin films. J Appl Crystallogr 2023; 56:1330-1347. [PMID: 37791363 PMCID: PMC10543672 DOI: 10.1107/s1600576723006520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) is a widely used method for the characterization of the nanostructure of supported thin films and enables time-resolved in situ measurements. The 2D scattering patterns contain detailed information about the nanostructures within the film and at its surface. However, this information is distorted not only by the reflection of the X-ray beam at the substrate-film interface and its refraction at the film surface but also by scattering of the substrate, the sample holder and other types of parasitic background scattering. In this work, a new, efficient strategy to simulate and fit 2D GISAXS patterns that explicitly includes these effects is introduced and demonstrated for (i) a model case nanostructured thin film on a substrate and (ii) experimental data from a microphase-separated block copolymer thin film. To make the protocol efficient, characteristic linecuts through the 2D GISAXS patterns, where the different contributions dominate, are analysed. The contributions of the substrate and the parasitic background scattering - which ideally are measured separately - are determined first and are used in the analysis of the 2D GISAXS patterns of the nanostructured, supported film. The nanostructures at the film surface and within the film are added step by step to the real-space model of the simulation, and their structural parameters are determined by minimizing the difference between simulated and experimental scattering patterns in the selected linecuts. Although in the present work the strategy is adapted for and tested with BornAgain, it can be easily used with other types of simulation software. The strategy is also applicable to grazing-incidence small-angle neutron scattering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian A. Jung
- TUM School of Natural Sciences, Physics Department, Soft Matter Physics Group, Technical University of Munich, James-Franck-Straße 1, Garching 85748, Germany
| | - Christine M. Papadakis
- TUM School of Natural Sciences, Physics Department, Soft Matter Physics Group, Technical University of Munich, James-Franck-Straße 1, Garching 85748, Germany
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4
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ALTİNTAS O. Novel Well-defined Polystyrene-block-Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) Block Copolymers. JOURNAL OF THE TURKISH CHEMICAL SOCIETY, SECTION A: CHEMISTRY 2023. [DOI: 10.18596/jotcsa.1184492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
A facile preparation of polystyrene-block-poly(lactide-co-glycolide) PS-b-PLGA block copolymers was reported in detail. Well-defined PS-b-PLGA block copolymers were successfully obtained via living anionic polymerization and ring-opening polymerization. First, hydroxyl-terminated linear polystyrenes were prepared by living anionic polymerization. The resulting polymers were used as macroinitiators for ring-opening copolymerization of lactide and glycolide in the presence of the 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) as a catalyst in dichloromethane at ambient temperature. Transesterification and formation of DBU-initiated polymers were minimized by optimizing the catalyst concentration. Three block copolymers were synthesized in various molecular weights from 5000 g/mol to 33600 g/mol with low polydispersity. The formation of well-defined PS-b-PLGA block copolymers was followed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and size-exclusion chromatography. Thermal properties of the block copolymers were investigated by thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The morphology of the block copolymers was investigated using small-angle X-ray scattering in the bulk and via grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering as well as atomic force microscopy in thin film demonstrating organized nanostructures with uniform domain sizes. Overall, this manuscript describes an expanded polymer toolbox for PLGA-based polymers for next-generation lithography applications.
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Coceancigh H, Xue L, Nagasaka S, Higgins DA, Ito T. Solvent-Induced Swelling Behaviors of Microphase-Separated Polystyrene- block-Poly(ethylene oxide) Thin Films Investigated Using In Situ Spectroscopic Ellipsometry and Single-Molecule Fluorescence Microscopy. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:8338-8349. [PMID: 36219821 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c05025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Block copolymers have attracted considerable interest in the fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology because these polymers afford well-defined nanostructures via self-assembly. An in-depth understanding of solvent effects on the physicochemical properties of these microdomains is crucial for their preparation and utilization. Herein, we employed in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry and single-molecule fluorescence techniques to gain detailed insights into microdomain properties in polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-b-PEO) films exposed to ethanol- and water-saturated N2. We observed a quick increase and a subsequent gradual decrease in the ellipsometric thickness of PS-b-PEO films upon exposure to ethanol-saturated N2. This observation was unexpected because ethanol-saturated N2 induced negligible thickness change for PS and PEO homopolymer films. The similarity in maximum thickness gain observed under ethanol- and water-saturated N2 implied the swelling of PEO microdomains. Ethanol vapor permeation through the PEO microdomains was supported by the redshift of the ensemble and single-molecule fluorescence emission of Nile red in PS-b-PEO films. Single-molecule tracking data showed the initial enhancement and subsequent reduction of the diffusion of hydrophilic sulforhodamine B molecules in PS-b-PEO films upon exposure to ethanol-saturated N2, consistent with the spectroscopic ellipsometry results. The higher ethanol susceptibility of the PEO microdomains was attributable to their amorphous nature, as shown by FTIR data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herman Coceancigh
- Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas66506-0401, United States
| | - Lianjie Xue
- Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas66506-0401, United States
| | - Shinobu Nagasaka
- Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas66506-0401, United States
| | - Daniel A Higgins
- Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas66506-0401, United States
| | - Takashi Ito
- Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas66506-0401, United States
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6
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Pula P, Leniart A, Majewski PW. Solvent-assisted self-assembly of block copolymer thin films. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:4042-4066. [PMID: 35608282 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00439a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Solvent-assisted block copolymer self-assembly is a compelling method for processing and advancing practical applications of these materials due to the exceptional level of the control of BCP morphology and significant acceleration of ordering kinetics. Despite substantial experimental and theoretical efforts devoted to understanding of solvent-assisted BCP film ordering, the development of a universal BCP patterning protocol remains elusive; possibly due to a multitude of factors which dictate the self-assembly scenario. The aim of this review is to aggregate both seminal reports and the latest progress in solvent-assisted directed self-assembly and to provide the reader with theoretical background, including the outline of BCP ordering thermodynamics and kinetics phenomena. We also indicate significant BCP research areas and emerging high-tech applications where solvent-assisted processing might play a dominant role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Przemyslaw Pula
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw 02089, Poland.
| | - Arkadiusz Leniart
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw 02089, Poland.
| | - Pawel W Majewski
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw 02089, Poland.
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7
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Zenati A. Triblock Azo copolymers: RAFT synthesis, properties, thin film self-assembly and applications. POLYM-PLAST TECH MAT 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/25740881.2021.2015779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Athmen Zenati
- Refining and Petrochemistry, Division of Method and Operation, Sonatrach, Arzew, Algeria
- Central Directorate of Research and Development, Sonatrach, Boumerdes, Algeria
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8
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Fang L, Seifert S, Winans RE, Li T. Understanding Synthesis and Structural Variation of Nanomaterials Through In Situ/Operando XAS and SAXS. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2106017. [PMID: 35142037 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202106017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Nanostructured materials with high surface area and low coordinated atoms present distinct intrinsic properties from their bulk counterparts. However, nanomaterials' nucleation/growth mechanism during the synthesis process and the changes of the nanomaterials in the working state are still not thoroughly studied. As two indispensable methods, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) provides nanomaterials' electronic structure and coordination environment, while small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) offers structural properties and morphology information. A combination of in situ/operando XAS and SAXS provides high temporal and spatial resolution to monitor the evolution of nanomaterials. This review gives a brief introduction to in situ/operando SAXS/XAS cells. In addition, the application of in situ/operando XAS and SAXS in preparing nanomaterials and studying changes of working nanomaterials are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingzhe Fang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115, USA
| | - Soenke Seifert
- Chemistry and Material Science Group, X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, 60439, USA
| | - Randall E Winans
- Chemistry and Material Science Group, X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, 60439, USA
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115, USA
- Chemistry and Material Science Group, X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, 60439, USA
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9
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Murphy JG, Raybin JG, Sibener SJ. Correlating polymer structure, dynamics, and function with atomic force microscopy. JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pol.20210321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julia G. Murphy
- The James Franck Institute and Department of Chemistry The University of Chicago Chicago Illinois USA
| | - Jonathan G. Raybin
- The James Franck Institute and Department of Chemistry The University of Chicago Chicago Illinois USA
| | - Steven J. Sibener
- The James Franck Institute and Department of Chemistry The University of Chicago Chicago Illinois USA
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10
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Smilgies D. GISAXS
: A versatile tool to assess structure and self‐assembly kinetics in block copolymer thin films. JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pol.20210244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Detlef‐M. Smilgies
- Center for Advanced Microelectronics Manufacturing (CAMM) Binghamton University Binghamton New York USA
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Binghamton University Binghamton New York USA
- Materials Science and Engineering Program Binghamton University Binghamton New York USA
- R.F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Cornell University Ithaca New York USA
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11
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Alvarez-Fernandez A, Fornerod MJ, Reid B, Guldin S. Solvent Vapor Annealing for Controlled Pore Expansion of Block Copolymer-Assembled Inorganic Mesoporous Films. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:3297-3304. [PMID: 35235337 PMCID: PMC9097528 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c00074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Mesoporous inorganic thin films are promising materials architectures for a variety of high-value applications, ranging from optical coatings and purification membranes to sensing and energy storage devices. Having precise control over the structural parameters of the porous network is crucial for broadening their applicability. To this end, the use of block copolymers (BCP) as sacrificial structure-directing agents via micelle coassembly is a particularly attractive route, since the resultant pore size is directly related to scaling laws for the radius of gyration of the pore-forming macromolecule. However, tailoring the molecular weight of the BCP via bespoke synthesis is an elaborate process that requires precise control over highly sensitive reactions conditions. Alternative methods have emerged, based on supramolecular assembly or the addition of different swelling agents. Nevertheleses, to date, these present a negative impact on the structural order and pore size dispersity of the final inorganic mesoporous films. In this work, we propose a novel and effective method for control over pore size, porosity, and structural order, which relies on a synergistic combination of BCP selective swelling via solvent vapor annealing (SVA) and locking of the structure by condensation of the inorganic sol-gel precursors. The results obtained in this work for TiO2 establish SVA as a new, straightforward, simple, and powerful route for the fabrication of mesoporous thin-film materials with controllable structural characteristics.
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12
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Wu R, Matta M, Paulsen BD, Rivnay J. Operando Characterization of Organic Mixed Ionic/Electronic Conducting Materials. Chem Rev 2022; 122:4493-4551. [PMID: 35026108 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Operando characterization plays an important role in revealing the structure-property relationships of organic mixed ionic/electronic conductors (OMIECs), enabling the direct observation of dynamic changes during device operation and thus guiding the development of new materials. This review focuses on the application of different operando characterization techniques in the study of OMIECs, highlighting the time-dependent and bias-dependent structure, composition, and morphology information extracted from these techniques. We first illustrate the needs, requirements, and challenges of operando characterization then provide an overview of relevant experimental techniques, including spectroscopy, scattering, microbalance, microprobe, and electron microscopy. We also compare different in silico methods and discuss the interplay of these computational methods with experimental techniques. Finally, we provide an outlook on the future development of operando for OMIEC-based devices and look toward multimodal operando techniques for more comprehensive and accurate description of OMIECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiheng Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Micaela Matta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Bryan D Paulsen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Jonathan Rivnay
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
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13
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Merekalov AS, Derikov YI, Artemov VV, Ezhov AA, Kudryavtsev YV. Vertical Cylinder-to-Lamella Transition in Thin Block Copolymer Films Induced by In-Plane Electric Field. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:3959. [PMID: 34833258 PMCID: PMC8622010 DOI: 10.3390/polym13223959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphological transition between hexagonal and lamellar patterns in thin polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinyl pyridine) films simultaneously exposed to a strong in-plane electric field and saturated solvent vapor is studied with atomic force and scanning electron microscopy. In these conditions, standing cylinders made of 4-vinyl pyridine blocks arrange into threads up to tens of microns long along the field direction and then partially merge into standing lamellas. In the course of rearrangement, the copolymer remains strongly segregated, with the minor component domains keeping connectivity between the film surfaces. The ordering tendency becomes more pronounced if the cylinders are doped with Au nanorods, which can increase their dielectric permittivity. Non-selective chloroform vapor works particularly well, though it causes partial etching of the indium tin oxide cathode. On the contrary, 1,4-dioxane vapor selective to polystyrene matrix does not allow for any morphological changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey S. Merekalov
- Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.S.M.); (Y.I.D.); (A.A.E.)
| | - Yaroslav I. Derikov
- Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.S.M.); (Y.I.D.); (A.A.E.)
| | - Vladimir V. Artemov
- Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography, Federal Scientific Research Centre “Crystallography and Photonics”, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119333 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Alexander A. Ezhov
- Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.S.M.); (Y.I.D.); (A.A.E.)
- Faculty of Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yaroslav V. Kudryavtsev
- Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.S.M.); (Y.I.D.); (A.A.E.)
- Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
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14
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Baeza GP. Recent advances on the structure–properties relationship of multiblock copolymers. JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/pol.20210406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Guilhem P. Baeza
- Univ. Lyon, INSA‐Lyon, CNRS, MATEIS, UMR 5510 Villeurbanne France
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15
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Chou H, Hsu W, Yang Y, Schanze KS, Luo S, Chen C. Real‐Time Spectral Evolution of Interchain Coupling and Assembling during Solvent Vapor Annealing of Dispersed Conjugated Polymers. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.202100135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- He‐Chun Chou
- Research Center for Applied Sciences Academia Sinica Taipei 11529 Taiwan
| | - Wei‐Chieh Hsu
- Research Center for Applied Sciences Academia Sinica Taipei 11529 Taiwan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering National Taiwan University Taipei 10617 Taiwan
| | - Yajing Yang
- Department of Chemistry University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio TX 78249 USA
| | - Kirk S. Schanze
- Department of Chemistry University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio TX 78249 USA
| | - Shyh‐Chyang Luo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering National Taiwan University Taipei 10617 Taiwan
- Advanced Research Center for Green Materials Science and Technology National Taiwan University Taipei 10617 Taiwan
| | - Chi Chen
- Research Center for Applied Sciences Academia Sinica Taipei 11529 Taiwan
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16
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Zhong W, Liu F, Wang C. Probing morphology and chemistry in complex soft materials with in situresonant soft x-ray scattering. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2021; 33:313001. [PMID: 34140434 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/ac0194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Small angle scattering methodologies have been evolving at fast pace over the past few decades due to the ever-increasing demands for more details on the complex nanostructures of multiphase and multicomponent soft materials like polymer assemblies and biomaterials. Currently, element-specific and contrast variation techniques such as resonant (elastic) soft/tender x-ray scattering, anomalous small angle x-ray scattering, and contrast-matching small angle neutron scattering, or combinations of above are routinely used to extract the chemical composition and spatial arrangement of constituent elements at multiple length scales and examine electronic ordering phenomena. Here we present some recent advances in selectively characterizing structural architectures of complex soft materials, which often contain multi-components with a wide range of length scales and multiple functionalities, where novel resonant scattering approaches have been demonstrated to decipher a higher level of structural complexity that correlates to functionality. With the advancement of machine learning and artificial intelligence assisted correlative analysis, high-throughput and autonomous experiments would open a new paradigm of material research. Further development of resonant x-ray scattering instrumentation with crossplatform sample environments will enable multimodalin situ/operando characterization of the system dynamics with much improved spatial and temporal resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenkai Zhong
- Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, In-situ Center for Physical Science, and Center of Hydrogen Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States of America
| | - Feng Liu
- Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, In-situ Center for Physical Science, and Center of Hydrogen Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Wang
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States of America
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17
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Ogawa H, Takenaka M, Miyazaki T. Molecular Weight Effect on the Transition Processes of a Symmetric PS- b-P2VP during Spin-Coating. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c01567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Ogawa
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
- Riken SPring-8 Center, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan
| | - Mikihito Takenaka
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
- Riken SPring-8 Center, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Miyazaki
- Comprehensive Research Organization for Science and Society, Shirakata, Tokai, Ibaraki 319-1106, Japan
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18
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Kravchenko VS, Potemkin II. Nanodroplets of Polymer Solutions on Solid Surfaces: Equilibrium Structures and Solvent Evaporation. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c02217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vitaly S. Kravchenko
- Physics Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russian Federation
- DWI − Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Aachen 52056, Germany
- A. N. Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelement Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russian Federation
| | - Igor I. Potemkin
- Physics Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russian Federation
- DWI − Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Aachen 52056, Germany
- National Research South Ural State University, Chelyabinsk 454080, Russian Federation
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19
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Gu PY, Jiang Y, Fink Z, Xie G, Hu Q, Kim PY, Xu QF, Lu JM, Russell TP. Conductive Thin Films over Large Areas by Supramolecular Self-Assembly. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:54020-54025. [PMID: 33200916 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c13488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We report a "one-step" method for preparing conductive thin films with cylindrical microdomains oriented normal to the surface over large areas using the supramolecular assembly of poly(styrene-block-4-vinylpyridine) (PS19-b-P4VP5) and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-21H,23H-porphine (HOTPP). HOTPP interacts with the P4VP block by hydrogen bonding between the hydroxyl group of HOTPP and pyridine ring of PS19-b-P4VP5, forming cylindrical P4VP(HOTPP) domains having an average diameter of ∼17 nm in a PS matrix. Dynamic light scattering, contact angle, and in situ grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering measurements show a morphological transition from spherical micelles in solution to cylindrical microdomains oriented normal to the substrate surface during the drying process. From the dependence of current on voltage, an average current of ∼4.0 nA is found to pass through a single microdomain, pointing to a promising route for organic semiconductor device applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Yang Gu
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Collaborative Innovation, Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, P. R. China
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Yufeng Jiang
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Applied Science and Technology, University of California, Berkeley, 210 Hearst Memorial Mining Building, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Zachary Fink
- Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Ganhua Xie
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Qin Hu
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Paul Y Kim
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Qing-Feng Xu
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Collaborative Innovation, Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, P. R. China
| | - Jian-Mei Lu
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Collaborative Innovation, Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, P. R. China
| | - Thomas P Russell
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, P. R. China
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20
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Tu KH, Huang H, Lee S, Lee W, Sun Z, Alexander-Katz A, Ross CA. Machine Learning Predictions of Block Copolymer Self-Assembly. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e2005713. [PMID: 33206426 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202005713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Directed self-assembly of block copolymers is a key enabler for nanofabrication of devices with sub-10 nm feature sizes, allowing patterning far below the resolution limit of conventional photolithography. Among all the process steps involved in block copolymer self-assembly, solvent annealing plays a dominant role in determining the film morphology and pattern quality, yet the interplay of the multiple parameters during solvent annealing, including the initial thickness, swelling, time, and solvent ratio, makes it difficult to predict and control the resultant self-assembled pattern. Here, machine learning tools are applied to analyze the solvent annealing process and predict the effect of process parameters on morphology and defectivity. Two neural networks are constructed and trained, yielding accurate prediction of the final morphology in agreement with experimental data. A ridge regression model is constructed to identify the critical parameters that determine the quality of line/space patterns. These results illustrate the potential of machine learning to inform nanomanufacturing processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun-Hua Tu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Hejin Huang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Sangho Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Wonmoo Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Zehao Sun
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Alfredo Alexander-Katz
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Caroline A Ross
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
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21
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Lee D, Lee J, Park J, Chang T. Orientation of Microphase in Polystyrene- b-polyisoprene Thin Film under Solvent Vapor Annealing. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c01017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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22
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Bilchak CR, Govind S, Contreas G, Rasin B, Maguire SM, Composto RJ, Fakhraai Z. Kinetic Monitoring of Block Copolymer Self-Assembly Using In Situ Spectroscopic Ellipsometry. ACS Macro Lett 2020; 9:1095-1101. [PMID: 35653214 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.0c00444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the kinetic pathways of self-assembly in block copolymers (BCPs) has been a long-standing challenge, mostly due to limitations of in situ monitoring techniques. Here, we demonstrate an approach that uses optical birefringence, determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE), as a measure of domain formation in cylinder- and lamellae-forming BCP films. The rapid experimental acquisition time in SE (ca. 1 sec) enables monitoring of the assembly/disassembly kinetics of BCP films during solvent-vapor annealing (SVA). We demonstrate that upon SVA, BCP films form ordered domains that are stable in the swollen state, but disorder upon rapid drying. Surprisingly, the disassembly during drying strongly depends on the duration of solvent exposure in the swollen state, explaining previous observations of loss of order in SVA processes. SE thus allows for decoupling of BCP self-assembly and disordering that occurs during solvent annealing and solvent evaporation, which is difficult to probe using other, slower techniques.
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23
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Jung FA, Posselt D, Smilgies DM, Panteli PA, Tsitsilianis C, Patrickios CS, Papadakis CM. Charge-Dependent Microphase Separation in Thin Films from a Multiresponsive Pentablock Quaterpolymer: A GISAXS Investigation. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c01151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Florian A. Jung
- Fachgebiet Physik weicher Materie, Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Dorthe Posselt
- IMFUFA, Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, P.O. Box 260, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Detlef-M. Smilgies
- Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850, United States
| | - Panayiota A. Panteli
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | - Costas S. Patrickios
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Christine M. Papadakis
- Fachgebiet Physik weicher Materie, Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
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24
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Jung FA, Berezkin AV, Tejsner TB, Posselt D, Smilgies D, Papadakis CM. Solvent Vapor Annealing of a Diblock Copolymer Thin Film with a Nonselective and a Selective Solvent: Importance of Pathway for the Morphological Changes. Macromol Rapid Commun 2020; 41:e2000150. [DOI: 10.1002/marc.202000150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Florian A. Jung
- Technische Universität München Physik‐Department Physik der weichen Materie James‐Franck‐Str. 1 Garching 85748 Germany
| | - Anatoly V. Berezkin
- Technische Universität München Physik‐Department Physik der weichen Materie James‐Franck‐Str. 1 Garching 85748 Germany
| | - Tim B. Tejsner
- IMFUFA Department of Science and Environment Roskilde University P.O. Box 260 Roskilde 4000 Denmark
| | - Dorthe Posselt
- IMFUFA Department of Science and Environment Roskilde University P.O. Box 260 Roskilde 4000 Denmark
| | - Detlef‐M. Smilgies
- Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS) Wilson Laboratory Cornell University Ithaca NY 14853 USA
| | - Christine M. Papadakis
- Technische Universität München Physik‐Department Physik der weichen Materie James‐Franck‐Str. 1 Garching 85748 Germany
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25
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Zhang J, Wu J, Jiang R, Wang Z, Yin Y, Li B, Wang Q. Lattice self-consistent field calculations of confined symmetric block copolymers of various chain architectures. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:4311-4323. [PMID: 32315012 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm00293c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The effects of chain architecture and confinement on the structure and orientation of lamellae formed by incompressible and symmetric AB-type block copolymer melts confined between two parallel and identical surfaces are investigated using self-consistent field calculations on a simple cubic lattice. Five systems of various chain architectures (linear, ring, and star) and lengths are studied, with their bulk lamellar period L0 chosen such that they have comparable L0/Rg, where Rg denotes the ideal-chain radius of gyration. For thin films of thickness D = L0 confined between two neutral surfaces, we define the rescaled volume fraction profiles of A, B, chain end, and joint segments in the parallel and perpendicular lamellae such that these profiles can be directly compared among the five systems to quantitatively reveal the interplay between the chain-end enrichment near confining surfaces and the surface-induced A-B compatibilization, and how such interplay is affected by the chain architectures (for example, the chain-crowding effects in the star block copolymers). The effects of D and surface preference for one of the blocks are also investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxue Zhang
- School of Physics, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education, Nankai University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300071, China.
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26
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Cao W, Xia S, Appold M, Saxena N, Bießmann L, Grott S, Li N, Gallei M, Bernstorff S, Müller-Buschbaum P. Self-Assembly in ultrahigh molecular weight sphere-forming diblock copolymer thin films under strong confinement. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18269. [PMID: 31797983 PMCID: PMC6892843 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54648-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Ultrahigh molecular weight (UHMW) diblock copolymers (DBCs) have emerged as a promising template for fabricating large-sized nanostructures. Therefore, it is of high significance to systematically study the influence of film thickness and solvent vapor annealing (SVA) on the structure evolution of UHMW DBC thin films. In this work, spin coating of an asymmetric linear UHMW polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) DBC is used to fabricate thin films, which are spherically structured with an inter-domain distance larger than 150 nm. To enhance the polymer chain mobility and facilitate approaching equilibrium nanostructures, SVA is utilized as a post-treatment of the spin coated films. With increasing film thickness, a local hexagonal packing of PMMA half-spheres on the surface can be obtained, and the order is improved at larger thickness, as determined by grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS). Additionally, the films with locally hexagonal packed half-spherical morphology show a poor order-order-poor order transition upon SVA, indicating the realization of ordered structure using suitable SVA parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Cao
- Technische Universität München, Physik-Department, Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, James-Franck-Straße 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Senlin Xia
- Technische Universität München, Physik-Department, Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, James-Franck-Straße 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Michael Appold
- Technische Universität Darmstadt, Ernst-Berl-Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Alarich-Weiss-Straße 4, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Nitin Saxena
- Technische Universität München, Physik-Department, Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, James-Franck-Straße 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Lorenz Bießmann
- Technische Universität München, Physik-Department, Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, James-Franck-Straße 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Sebastian Grott
- Technische Universität München, Physik-Department, Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, James-Franck-Straße 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Nian Li
- Technische Universität München, Physik-Department, Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, James-Franck-Straße 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Markus Gallei
- Saarland University, Chair in Polymer Chemistry, Campus C4 2, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Sigrid Bernstorff
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Strada Statale 14, km 163.5, in AREA Science Park, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Peter Müller-Buschbaum
- Technische Universität München, Physik-Department, Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, James-Franck-Straße 1, 85748, Garching, Germany.
- Technische Universität München, Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ), Lichtenbergstr. 1, 85748, Garching, Germany.
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28
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Hulkkonen H, Salminen T, Niemi T. Automated solvent vapor annealing with nanometer scale control of film swelling for block copolymer thin films. SOFT MATTER 2019; 15:7909-7917. [PMID: 31538173 DOI: 10.1039/c9sm01322a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Molecular self-assembly of block copolymers has been pursued as a next generation high-resolution, low-cost lithography technique. Solvent vapor annealing is a promising way of achieving self-assembled patterns from polymers with high interaction parameters, χ, or high molecular weights. Compared to thermal annealing, the assembly in a solvated state can be much faster, but the film swelling process is typically challenging to control and reproduce. We report the design and implementation of an automated solvent annealing system that addresses these issues. In this system the film swelling is controlled via local heating or cooling, which enables exceptionally fast and precise modulation of the swelling. The swelling of the polymer films follows preprogrammed annealing profiles with the help of a feedback loop that compares and tunes the film thickness with respect to the set point. The system therefore enables complex annealing profiles such as rapid cyclic swelling and deswelling. We show that the orientation of the pattern morphology and the amount of lattice defects are influenced by the used annealing profile. We demonstrate that optimized profiles significantly shorten the annealing time (<15 min) of high-χ and high-molecular weight poly(styrene-b-2-vinylpyridine).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Hulkkonen
- Nanophotonics, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, 33101 Tampere, Finland.
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29
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Sutisna B, Musteata V, Pulido B, Puspasari T, Smilgies DM, Hadjichristidis N, Nunes SP. High flux membranes, based on self-assembled and H-bond linked triblock copolymer nanospheres. J Memb Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2019.04.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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30
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Cheng X, Böker A, Tsarkova L. Temperature-Controlled Solvent Vapor Annealing of Thin Block Copolymer Films. Polymers (Basel) 2019; 11:E1312. [PMID: 31390732 PMCID: PMC6722758 DOI: 10.3390/polym11081312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Solvent vapor annealing is as an effective and versatile alternative to thermal annealing to equilibrate and control the assembly of polymer chains in thin films. Here, we present scientific and practical aspects of the solvent vapor annealing method, including the discussion of such factors as non-equilibrium conformational states and chain dynamics in thin films in the presence of solvent. Homopolymer and block copolymer films have been used in model studies to evaluate the robustness and the reproducibility of the solvent vapor processing, as well as to assess polymer-solvent interactions under confinement. Advantages of utilizing a well-controlled solvent vapor environment, including practically interesting regimes of weakly saturated vapor leading to poorly swollen states, are discussed. Special focus is given to dual temperature control over the set-up instrumentation and to the potential of solvo-thermal annealing. The evaluated insights into annealing dynamics derived from the studies on block copolymer films can be applied to improve the processing of thin films of crystalline and conjugated polymers as well as polymer composite in confined geometries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Cheng
- Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP, Geiselbergstr. 69, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Lehrstuhl für Polymermaterialien und Polymertechnologie, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Alexander Böker
- Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP, Geiselbergstr. 69, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Lehrstuhl für Polymermaterialien und Polymertechnologie, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Larisa Tsarkova
- Deutsches Textilforschungszentrum Nord-West (DNTW), Adlerstr. 1, 47798 Krefeld, Germany.
- Chair of Colloid Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1-3, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
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31
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Konefał M, Zhigunov A, Pavlova E, Černoch P, Pop-Georgievski O, Špírková M. Adjustable self-assembly in polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) dip-coated thin films. POLYMER 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2019.05.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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32
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Weller DW, Galuska L, Wang W, Ehlenburg D, Hong K, Gu X. Roll-to-Roll Scalable Production of Ordered Microdomains through Nonvolatile Additive Solvent Annealing of Block Copolymers. Macromolecules 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b00772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W. Weller
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, United States
| | - Luke Galuska
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, United States
| | - Weiyu Wang
- Chemical Sciences Divisions and Center for Nanophase Material Sciences (CNMS), Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Dakota Ehlenburg
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, United States
| | - Kunlun Hong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Xiaodan Gu
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, United States
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33
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Zang R, Hu H, Li X, Gao J, Liang L, Zhang H, Zhuge F, Luo J, Cao H. Broadband hyperbolic metamaterial covering the whole visible-light region. OPTICS LETTERS 2019; 44:2970-2973. [PMID: 31199358 DOI: 10.1364/ol.44.002970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Nanowire-based hyperbolic metamaterials (HMMs) with rich optical dispersion engineering capabilities are promising for use in miniaturization devices, such as nanophotonic chips and circuits. Herein, based on a one-step and template-free sputtering method, we are capable of precisely tuning the microstructural parameters of Ag nanowires (with a diameter <10 nm) in silica matrix, offering plenty of opportunities to perform hyperbolic dispersion engineering. Thus, the effective plasma frequency of the designed HMMs was shifted into the near-ultraviolet region (∼350 nm), leading to a broadband hyperbolic dispersion feature covering the whole visible-light region. This demonstration could pave the way for the development of metamaterial-based flat lenses, deep-subwavelength waveguiding, and broadband perfect absorbers and sensing, etc.
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Kreuzer LP, Widmann T, Hohn N, Wang K, Bießmann L, Peis L, Moulin JF, Hildebrand V, Laschewsky A, Papadakis CM, Müller-Buschbaum P. Swelling and Exchange Behavior of Poly(sulfobetaine)-Based Block Copolymer Thin Films. Macromolecules 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b00443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lucas P. Kreuzer
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien/Fachgebiet Physik weicher Materie, Physik Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Tobias Widmann
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien/Fachgebiet Physik weicher Materie, Physik Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Nuri Hohn
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien/Fachgebiet Physik weicher Materie, Physik Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Kun Wang
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien/Fachgebiet Physik weicher Materie, Physik Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Lorenz Bießmann
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien/Fachgebiet Physik weicher Materie, Physik Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Leander Peis
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien/Fachgebiet Physik weicher Materie, Physik Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Jean-Francois Moulin
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht at Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum, Lichtenbergstr. 1, 85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Viet Hildebrand
- Institut für Chemie, Universität Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24−25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - André Laschewsky
- Institut für Chemie, Universität Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24−25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institut für Angewandte Polymerforschung, Geiselbergstr. 69, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Christine M. Papadakis
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien/Fachgebiet Physik weicher Materie, Physik Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Peter Müller-Buschbaum
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien/Fachgebiet Physik weicher Materie, Physik Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
- Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ), Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
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35
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Gumerov RA, Potemkin II. Swelling of Planar Polymer Brushes in Solvent Vapors. POLYMER SCIENCE SERIES C 2018. [DOI: 10.1134/s181123821802011x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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36
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Gunkel I. Directing Block Copolymer Self-Assembly on Patterned Substrates. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2018; 14:e1802872. [PMID: 30318828 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201802872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembling block copolymer films provide access to a variety of different nanostructured patterns in one, two, and three dimensions. However, in the absence of any templating, these nanostructures suffer from defects, often limiting utility. Directed block copolymer self-assembly uses patterned substrates that effectively suppress defect formation and allow the creation of desired patterns. The two main directed self-assembly techniques, chemoepitaxy and graphoepitaxy, employ chemically and topographically patterned substrates, respectively, to direct the block copolymer assembly in thin films. Their successful application in generating defect-free patterns in films of block copolymers exhibiting particular morphologies is summarized in this concept article. The possible role of directed self-assembly in extending nanostructured patterning from two to three dimensions is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilja Gunkel
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, Fribourg, CH-1700, Switzerland
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37
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Dolan JA, Korzeb K, Dehmel R, Gödel KC, Stefik M, Wiesner U, Wilkinson TD, Baumberg JJ, Wilts BD, Steiner U, Gunkel I. Controlling Self-Assembly in Gyroid Terpolymer Films By Solvent Vapor Annealing. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2018; 14:e1802401. [PMID: 30252206 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201802401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The efficacy with which solvent vapor annealing (SVA) can control block copolymer self-assembly has so far been demonstrated primarily for the simplest class of copolymer, the linear diblock copolymer. Adding a third distinct block-thereby creating a triblock terpolymer-not only provides convenient access to complex continuous network morphologies, particularly the gyroid phases, but also opens up a route toward the fabrication of novel nanoscale devices such as optical metamaterials. Such applications, however, require the generation of well-ordered 3D continuous networks, which in turn requires a detailed understanding of the SVA process in terpolymer network morphologies. Here, in situ grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) is employed to study the self-assembly of a gyroid-forming triblock terpolymer during SVA, revealing the effects of several key SVA parameters on the morphology, lateral order, and, in particular, its preservation in the dried film. The robustness of the terpolymer gyroid morphology is a key requirement for successful SVA, allowing the exploration of annealing parameters which may enable the generation of films with long-range order, e.g., for optical metamaterial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Dolan
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J.J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1PZ, UK
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, Chemin des Verdiers, CH-1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Karolina Korzeb
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, Chemin des Verdiers, CH-1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Raphael Dehmel
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, Chemin des Verdiers, CH-1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Karl C Gödel
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J.J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Morgan Stefik
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J.J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Ulrich Wiesner
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, 541 Main St, Horizon I BLDG, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Timothy D Wilkinson
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, 214 Bard Hall, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Jeremy J Baumberg
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1PZ, UK
| | - Bodo D Wilts
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J.J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Ullrich Steiner
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, Chemin des Verdiers, CH-1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Ilja Gunkel
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, Chemin des Verdiers, CH-1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
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Ogieglo W, Stenbock-Fermor A, Juraschek TM, Bogdanova Y, Benes N, Tsarkova LA. Synergic Swelling of Interactive Network Support and Block Copolymer Films during Solvent Vapor Annealing. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2018; 34:9950-9960. [PMID: 30070855 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b02304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We report the effect of "interactive" polymer network (PN) supports on the solvent-vapor processing of thin polymer films. Densely cross-linked surface-attached network exhibits under experimental time scale a glassy swelling behavior with the conformational states and solvent-uptake clearly sensitive to the degree of solvent vapor saturation in the atmosphere. Pretreatment of the thermally cured PN films by complete immersion or by swelling in saturated chloroform vapors facilitates relaxation of the residual stresses and induces irreversible changes to the network structure as revealed by the swelling/deswelling tests. The presence of a polymer film on top of the PN support results in a mutual influence of the layers on the respective swelling kinetics, steady-state solvent uptake, and chain dynamics. Using UV-vis ellipsometry, we revealed a significantly faster swelling and higher solvent uptake of glassy PN layer below a polymer film as compared to a single PN layer on silicon substrate. Remarkably, the swelling of the network support continues to increase even when the overall swelling of the bilayer is in a steady-state regime. Block copolymer films on PN supports exhibit a faster ordering dynamics and exceptional stability toward dewetting as compared to similar films on silicon wafers. The mechanical stress produced by continuously swelling PN is suggested to account for the enhanced segmental dynamics even at low solvent concentration in the block copolymer film. Apart from novel insights into dynamics of solvent uptake by heterogeneous polymer films, these results might be useful in developing novel approaches toward fast-processing/annealing of functional polymer films and fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Ogieglo
- DWI-Leibniz-Institut für Interaktive Materialien , Forckenbeckstraße 50 , 52056 Aachen , Germany
| | - Anja Stenbock-Fermor
- DWI-Leibniz-Institut für Interaktive Materialien , Forckenbeckstraße 50 , 52056 Aachen , Germany
| | - Thomas M Juraschek
- DWI-Leibniz-Institut für Interaktive Materialien , Forckenbeckstraße 50 , 52056 Aachen , Germany
| | - Yulia Bogdanova
- Chair of Colloid Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry , Moscow State University , 1-3 Leninskiye Gory , 119991 Moscow , Russia
| | - Nieck Benes
- Membrane Science and Technology Cluster/Films in Fluids Group, Faculty of Science and Technology , University of Twente , 7500 AE Enschede , The Netherlands
| | - Larisa A Tsarkova
- Chair of Colloid Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry , Moscow State University , 1-3 Leninskiye Gory , 119991 Moscow , Russia
- Deutsches Textilforschungszentrum Nord-West gGmbH (DTNW) , Adlerstraße 1 , 47798 Krefeld , Germany
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39
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Nelson G, Drapes CS, Grant MA, Gnabasik R, Wong J, Baruth A. High-Precision Solvent Vapor Annealing for Block Copolymer Thin Films. MICROMACHINES 2018; 9:E271. [PMID: 30424204 PMCID: PMC6187827 DOI: 10.3390/mi9060271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Despite its efficacy in producing well-ordered, periodic nanostructures, the intricate role multiple parameters play in solvent vapor annealing has not been fully established. In solvent vapor annealing a thin polymer film is exposed to a vapor of solvent(s) thus forming a swollen and mobile layer to direct the self-assembly process at the nanoscale. Recent developments in both theory and experiments have directly identified critical parameters that govern this process, but controlling them in any systematic way has proven non-trivial. These identified parameters include vapor pressure, solvent concentration in the film, and the solvent evaporation rate. To explore their role, a purpose-built solvent vapor annealing chamber was designed and constructed. The all-metal chamber is designed to be inert to solvent exposure. Computer-controlled, pneumatically actuated valves allow for precision timing in the introduction and withdrawal of solvent vapor from the film. The mass flow controller-regulated inlet, chamber pressure gauges, in situ spectral reflectance-based thickness monitoring, and low flow micrometer relief valve give real-time monitoring and control during the annealing and evaporation phases with unprecedented precision and accuracy. The reliable and repeatable alignment of polylactide cylinders formed from polystyrene-b-polylactide, where cylinders stand perpendicular to the substrate and span the thickness of the film, provides one illustrative example.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunnar Nelson
- Department of Physics, College of Arts and Sciences, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178, USA.
| | - Chloe S Drapes
- Department of Physics, College of Arts and Sciences, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178, USA.
| | - Meagan A Grant
- Department of Physics, College of Arts and Sciences, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178, USA.
| | - Ryan Gnabasik
- Department of Physics, College of Arts and Sciences, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178, USA.
| | - Jeffrey Wong
- Department of Physics, College of Arts and Sciences, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178, USA.
| | - Andrew Baruth
- Department of Physics, College of Arts and Sciences, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178, USA.
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40
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Davydovich O, Chu E, Friar Z, Smilgies DM, Moore P, Sidorenko A. Coordinated Responsive Arrays of Surface-Linked Polymer Islands-CORALs. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:7459-7468. [PMID: 29405063 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b18305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The concept of co-ordinated responsive arrays of surface-linked islands (polymer CORALs) is introduced. This study targets a responsive system capable of revealing or covering the substrate surface in response to environmental changes in a reversible way. A convenient method of fabrication of polymer CORALs is proposed. It is based on microphase separation that occurs in thin films of supramolecular assemblies of block copolymers with reactive blocks. Such blocks form nanometer-size domains that may serve as anchors for surface-linked polymer islands. Two characteristics of the islands are critically important for the switching function: high grafting density within the islands and small lateral separation that allows interactions between polymer chains grafted to the neighboring islands. This combination permits complete coverage of the substrate surface upon exposure to a good solvent (relaxed state). In a weak solvent, the chains collapse within the islands, thus revealing the substrate (compact state). The morphology of the CORALs in both states and some details of the switching process were studied with atomic force microscopy, grazing incidence small-angle scattering, and coarse-grained molecular dynamic simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleg Davydovich
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of the Sciences , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Elza Chu
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of the Sciences , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Zachary Friar
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of the Sciences , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Detlef-M Smilgies
- Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source , Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Preston Moore
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of the Sciences , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Alexander Sidorenko
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of the Sciences , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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41
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Álvarez-Fernández A, Valdés-Bango F, Losada-Ambrinos R, Martín JI, Vélez M, Alameda JM, García Alonso FJ. Polymer porous thin films obtained by direct spin coating. POLYM INT 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/pi.5519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Fernando Valdés-Bango
- Dpto. Física; Universidad de Oviedo; Oviedo Spain
- CINN (CSIC-Universidad de Oviedo); El Entrego Spain
| | | | - José Ignacio Martín
- Dpto. Física; Universidad de Oviedo; Oviedo Spain
- CINN (CSIC-Universidad de Oviedo); El Entrego Spain
| | - María Vélez
- Dpto. Física; Universidad de Oviedo; Oviedo Spain
- CINN (CSIC-Universidad de Oviedo); El Entrego Spain
| | - José María Alameda
- Dpto. Física; Universidad de Oviedo; Oviedo Spain
- CINN (CSIC-Universidad de Oviedo); El Entrego Spain
| | - Francisco Javier García Alonso
- Dpto. Química Orgánica e Inorgánica; Universidad de Oviedo; Oviedo Spain
- CINN (CSIC-Universidad de Oviedo); El Entrego Spain
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42
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Zhang Q, Matsuoka F, Suh HS, Beaucage PA, Xiong S, Smilgies DM, Tan KW, Werner JG, Nealey PF, Wiesner UB. Pathways to Mesoporous Resin/Carbon Thin Films with Alternating Gyroid Morphology. ACS NANO 2018; 12:347-358. [PMID: 29236479 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.7b06436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) mesoporous thin films with sub-100 nm periodic lattices are of increasing interest as templates for a number of nanotechnology applications, yet are hard to achieve with conventional top-down fabrication methods. Block copolymer self-assembly derived mesoscale structures provide a toolbox for such 3D template formation. In this work, single (alternating) gyroidal and double gyroidal mesoporous thin-film structures are achieved via solvent vapor annealing assisted co-assembly of poly(isoprene-block-styrene-block-ethylene oxide) (PI-b-PS-b-PEO, ISO) and resorcinol/phenol formaldehyde resols. In particular, the alternating gyroid thin-film morphology is highly desirable for potential template backfilling processes as a result of the large pore volume fraction. In situ grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering during solvent annealing is employed as a tool to elucidate and navigate the pathway complexity of the structure formation processes. The resulting network structures are resistant to high temperatures provided an inert atmosphere. The thin films have tunable hydrophilicity from pyrolysis at different temperatures, while pore sizes can be tailored by varying ISO molar mass. A transfer technique between substrates is demonstrated for alternating gyroidal mesoporous thin films, circumventing the need to re-optimize film formation protocols for different substrates. Increased conductivity after pyrolysis at high temperatures demonstrates that these gyroidal mesoporous resin/carbon thin films have potential as functional 3D templates for a number of nanomaterials applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University , Ithaca, New York 14850, United States
| | - Fumiaki Matsuoka
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University , Ithaca, New York 14850, United States
| | - Hyo Seon Suh
- Institute for Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago , Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
- Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory , 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Peter A Beaucage
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University , Ithaca, New York 14850, United States
| | - Shisheng Xiong
- Institute for Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago , Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
- Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory , 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Detlef-M Smilgies
- Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS), Cornell University , Ithaca, New York 14850, United States
| | - Kwan Wee Tan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University , Ithaca, New York 14850, United States
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University , Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Jörg G Werner
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University , Ithaca, New York 14850, United States
| | - Paul F Nealey
- Institute for Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago , Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
- Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory , 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Ulrich B Wiesner
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University , Ithaca, New York 14850, United States
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43
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Altintas O, Speros JC, Bates FS, Hillmyer MA. Straightforward synthesis of model polystyrene-block-poly(vinyl alcohol) diblock polymers. Polym Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1039/c8py00937f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Well-defined polystyrene-block-poly(vinyl alcohol) (PS-b-PVA) polymers were synthesizedviaRDRP protocols. The morphology of the block polymers was investigated by GISAXS and AFM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozcan Altintas
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Minnesota
- Minneapolis
- USA
| | | | - Frank S. Bates
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
- University of Minnesota
- Minneapolis
- USA
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44
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Choo Y, Majewski PW, Fukuto M, Osuji CO, Yager KG. Pathway-engineering for highly-aligned block copolymer arrays. NANOSCALE 2017; 10:416-427. [PMID: 29226297 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr06069f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
While the ultimate driving force in self-assembly is energy minimization and the corresponding evolution towards equilibrium, kinetic effects can also play a very strong role. These kinetic effects, such as trapping in metastable states, slow coarsening kinetics, and pathway-dependent assembly, are often viewed as complications to be overcome. Here, we instead exploit these effects to engineer a desired final nano-structure in a block copolymer thin film, by selecting a particular ordering pathway through the self-assembly energy landscape. In particular, we combine photothermal shearing with high-temperature annealing to yield hexagonal arrays of block copolymer cylinders that are aligned in a single prescribed direction over macroscopic sample dimensions. Photothermal shearing is first used to generate a highly-aligned horizontal cylinder state, with subsequent thermal processing used to reorient the morphology to the vertical cylinder state in a templated manner. Finally, we demonstrate the successful transfer of engineered morphologies into inorganic replicas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngwoo Choo
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
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45
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Berezkin AV, Jung F, Posselt D, Smilgies DM, Papadakis CM. Vertical vs Lateral Macrophase Separation in Thin Films of Block Copolymer Mixtures: Computer Simulations and GISAXS Experiments. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:31291-31301. [PMID: 28319360 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b16563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Mixtures of two diblock copolymers of very different lengths may feature both macro- and microphase separation; however, not much is known about the mechanisms of separation in diblock copolymer thin films. In the present work, we study thin films of mixtures of two compositionally symmetric block copolymers, both in the one-phase and in the two-phase state, combining coarse-grained molecular simulations (dissipative particle dynamics, DPD) with scattering experiments (grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering, GISAXS). We reveal that the film thickness and selective adsorption of different blocks to the substrate control the distribution of macrophases within the film as well as the orientation of the lamellae therein. In thick films, the mixtures separate in the vertical direction into three layers: Two layers being rich in short copolymers are formed near the film interfaces, whereas a layer being rich in long copolymers is located in the film core. The lamellar orientation in the layers rich in short copolymers is dictated by the surface selectivity, and this orientation only weakly affects the vertical orientation of lamellae in the film core. This provides the opportunity to control the domain orientation in the copolymer films by mixing block copolymers with low-molecular additives instead of relying on a more complicated chemical modification of the substrate. In thinner films, a lateral phase separation appears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anatoly V Berezkin
- Physik-Department, Physik weicher Materie, Technische Universität München , James-Franck-Strasse 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Florian Jung
- Physik-Department, Physik weicher Materie, Technische Universität München , James-Franck-Strasse 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Dorthe Posselt
- IMFUFA, Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University , P. O. Box 260, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Detlef M Smilgies
- Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS), Wilson Laboratory, Cornell University , Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Christine M Papadakis
- Physik-Department, Physik weicher Materie, Technische Universität München , James-Franck-Strasse 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
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46
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Dehmel R, Dolan JA, Gu Y, Wiesner U, Wilkinson TD, Baumberg JJ, Steiner U, Wilts BD, Gunkel I. Optical Imaging of Large Gyroid Grains in Block Copolymer Templates by Confined Crystallization. Macromolecules 2017; 50:6255-6262. [PMID: 28919648 PMCID: PMC5594442 DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.7b01528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Block copolymer (BCP) self-assembly is a promising route to manufacture functional nanomaterials for applications from nanolithography to optical metamaterials. Self-assembled cubic morphologies cannot, however, be conveniently optically characterized in the lab due to their structural isotropy. Here, the aligned crystallization behavior of a semicrystalline-amorphous polyisoprene-b-polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (ISO) triblock terpolymer was utilized to visualize the grain structure of the cubic microphase-separated morphology. Upon quenching from a solvent swollen state, ISO first self-assembles into an alternating gyroid morphology, in the confinement of which the PEO crystallizes preferentially along the least tortuous pathways of the single gyroid morphology with grain sizes of hundreds of micrometers. Strikingly, the resulting anisotropic alignment of PEO crystallites gives rise to a unique optical birefringence of the alternating gyroid domains, which allows imaging of the self-assembled grain structure by optical microscopy alone. This study provides insight into polymer crystallization within a tortuous three-dimensional network and establishes a useful method for the optical visualization of cubic BCP morphologies that serve as functional nanomaterial templates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Dehmel
- Department
of Physics, University of Cambridge, J.J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K.
| | - James A. Dolan
- Department
of Physics, University of Cambridge, J.J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K.
- Department
of Engineering, University of Cambridge, J.J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0FA, U.K.
| | - Yibei Gu
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell
University, 214 Bard Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853-1501, United States
| | - Ulrich Wiesner
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell
University, 214 Bard Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853-1501, United States
| | - Timothy D. Wilkinson
- Department
of Engineering, University of Cambridge, J.J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0FA, U.K.
| | - Jeremy J. Baumberg
- Department
of Physics, University of Cambridge, J.J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K.
| | - Ullrich Steiner
- Adolphe Merkle
Institute, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Bodo D. Wilts
- Adolphe Merkle
Institute, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Ilja Gunkel
- Adolphe Merkle
Institute, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
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47
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Zhang Y, Mulvenna RA, Qu S, Boudouris BW, Phillip WA. Block Polymer Membranes Functionalized with Nanoconfined Polyelectrolyte Brushes Achieve Sub-Nanometer Selectivity. ACS Macro Lett 2017; 6:726-732. [PMID: 35650852 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.7b00278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The well-defined nanostructure of membranes manufactured from self-assembled block polymers enables highly selective separations; however, recent efforts to push the pore size of block polymer-based membranes to the lower end of the size spectrum have only been moderately successful for a variety of reasons. For instance, the conformational changes of the stimuli-responsive functional groups lining the pore walls of some block polymer membranes result in varied pore sizes that limit their operational range. Here, we overcome this challenge through the directed design of the third moiety of an A-B-C triblock polymer. The use of this macromolecular design paradigm allows for the preparation of a 500 nm thick polyisoprene-b-polystyrene-b-poly(2-acrylamido-ethane-1,1-disfulonic acid) (PI-PS-PADSA) coating atop a hollow fiber membrane support. This nanoporous test bed, which exhibits an average pore radius of 1 nm, demonstrates an extremely high solute selectivity by fully gating solutes that have only an 8 Å size difference, a separation that is based solely on a sieving mechanism. Furthermore, the nanoscale structural characteristics of the solvated PADSA pore walls are elucidated by quantifying the rejection of neutral solutes and calculating the hydraulic permeability values in solutions of high ionic strength (1 mM ≤ I ≤ 3 M) and over a broad range of solution pH (1 ≤ pH ≤ 13). These key results provide a solid foundation for defining structure-property-performance relationships in the emerging area of nanoporous triblock polymer thin films. Moreover, the successful demonstration of the test bed separation device offers a tangible means by which to manufacture next-generation nanofiltration membranes that require a robust performance profile over a dynamic range of conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhou Zhang
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre
Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | | | - Siyi Qu
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre
Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | | | - William A. Phillip
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre
Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
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