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Hendeniya N, Chittick C, Hillery K, Abtahi S, Mosher C, Chang B. Revealing the Kinetic Phase Behavior of Block Copolymer Complexes Using Solvent Vapor Absorption-Desorption Isotherms. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:18144-18153. [PMID: 38530201 PMCID: PMC11009910 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c00076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Controlling the self-assembled morphologies in block copolymers heavily depends on their molecular architecture and processing conditions. Solvent vapor annealing is a versatile processive pathway to obtain highly periodic self-assemblies from high chi (χ) block copolymers (BCPs) and supramolecular BCP complexes. Despite the importance of navigating the energy landscape, controlled solvent vapor annealing (SVA) has not been investigated in BCP complexes, partly due to its intricate multicomponent nature. We introduce characteristic absorption-desorption solvent vapor isotherms as an effective way to understand swelling behavior and follow the morphological evolution of the polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) block copolymer complexed with pentadecylphenol (PS-b-P4VP(PDP)). Using the sorption isotherms, we identify the glass transition points, polymer-solvent interaction parameters, and bulk modulus. These parameters indicate that complexation completely screens the polymer interchain interactions. Furthermore, we established that the sorption isotherm of the homopolymer blocks serves to deconvolute the intricacy of BCP complexes. We applied our findings by developing annealing pathways for grain coarsening while preventing macroscopic film dewetting under SVA. Here, grain coarsening obeyed a power law and the growth exponent revealed a kinetic transition point for rapid self-assembly. Overall, SVA-based sorption isotherms have emerged as a critical method for understanding and developing annealing pathways for BCP complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayanathara Hendeniya
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Iowa
State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Caden Chittick
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Iowa
State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Kaitlyn Hillery
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Iowa
State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Shaghayegh Abtahi
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Iowa
State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Curtis Mosher
- Roy
J. Carver High-Resolution Microscopy Facility, Office of Biotechnology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Boyce Chang
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Iowa
State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
- Micro-Electronics
Research Center, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
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Wu Z, Liu R, Wei N, Wang L. Unexpected reduction in thermal conductivity observed in graphene/h-BN heterostructures. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:3823-3831. [PMID: 38205815 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp05407a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Heterostructures find wide-ranging applications in fields such as thermal management, thermoelectric energy conversion, and nanoelectronics. This study provides new insights into the thermal conductivity of parallel heterointerfaces by investigating a longitudinal heterostructure composed of graphene and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) using molecular dynamics simulations. Interestingly, it is observed that this unique heterostructure possesses a lower thermal conductivity compared to pure h-BN. The analysis reveals that phonon scattering is enhanced by stress at the interface of the heterostructure and the mass distribution through it. The heterostructure model introduced in this study presents new insights for controlling phonon transportation in nanoscale structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 210016 Nanjing, P. R. China.
| | - Rumeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 210016 Nanjing, P. R. China.
| | - Ning Wei
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Food Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, Jiangnan University, 214122 Wuxi, P. R. China
| | - Lifeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 210016 Nanjing, P. R. China.
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Mingarelli P, Romeo C, Callone E, Fredi G, Dorigato A, D’Arienzo M, Parrino F, Dirè S. Ladder-like Poly(methacryloxypropyl) silsesquioxane-Al 2O 3-polybutadiene Flexible Nanocomposites with High Thermal Conductivity. Gels 2023; 9:810. [PMID: 37888383 PMCID: PMC10606264 DOI: 10.3390/gels9100810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Ladder-like poly(methacryloxypropyl)-silsesquioxanes (LPMASQ) are photocurable Si-based gels characterized by a double-stranded structure that ensures superior thermal stability and mechanical properties than common organic polymers. In this work, these attractive features were exploited to produce, in combination with alumina nanoparticles (NPs), both unmodified and functionalized with methacryloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane (MPTMS), LPMASQ/Al2O3 composites displaying remarkable thermal conductivity. Additionally, we combined LPMASQ with polybutadiene (PB) to produce hybrid nanocomposites with the addition of functionalized Al2O3 NPs. The materials underwent thermal stability, structural, and morphological evaluations via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Both blending PB with LPMASQ and surface functionalization of nanoparticles proved to be effective strategies for incorporating a higher ceramic filler amount in the matrices, resulting in significant increases in thermal conductivity. Specifically, a 113.6% increase in comparison to the bare matrix was achieved at relatively low filler content (11.2 vol%) in the presence of 40 wt% LPMASQ. Results highlight the potential of ladder-like silsesquioxanes in the field of thermally conductive polymers and their applications in heat dissipation for flexible electronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Mingarelli
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy (C.R.); (E.C.); (G.F.); (A.D.)
| | - Chiara Romeo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy (C.R.); (E.C.); (G.F.); (A.D.)
| | - Emanuela Callone
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy (C.R.); (E.C.); (G.F.); (A.D.)
- “Klaus Müller” Magnetic Resonance Laboratory, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Giulia Fredi
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy (C.R.); (E.C.); (G.F.); (A.D.)
| | - Andrea Dorigato
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy (C.R.); (E.C.); (G.F.); (A.D.)
| | - Massimiliano D’Arienzo
- Department of Materials Science, INSTM, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via R. Cozzi 55, 20125 Milano, Italy;
| | - Francesco Parrino
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy (C.R.); (E.C.); (G.F.); (A.D.)
| | - Sandra Dirè
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy (C.R.); (E.C.); (G.F.); (A.D.)
- “Klaus Müller” Magnetic Resonance Laboratory, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
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Hendeniya N, Hillery K, Chang BS. Processive Pathways to Metastability in Block Copolymer Thin Films. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15030498. [PMID: 36771799 PMCID: PMC9920306 DOI: 10.3390/polym15030498] [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: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Block copolymers (BCPs) self-assemble into intricate nanostructures that enhance a multitude of advanced applications in semiconductor processing, membrane science, nanopatterned coatings, nanocomposites, and battery research. Kinetics and thermodynamics of self-assembly are crucial considerations in controlling the nanostructure of BCP thin films. The equilibrium structure is governed by a molecular architecture and the chemistry of its repeat units. An enormous library of materials has been synthesized and they naturally produce a rich equilibrium phase diagram. Non-equilibrium phases could potentially broaden the structural diversity of BCPs and relax the synthetic burden of creating new molecules. Furthermore, the reliance on synthesis could be complicated by the scalability and the materials compatibility. Non-equilibrium phases in BCPs, however, are less explored, likely due to the challenges in stabilizing the metastable structures. Over the past few decades, a variety of processing techniques were introduced that influence the phase transformation of BCPs to achieve a wide range of morphologies. Nonetheless, there is a knowledge gap on how different processive pathways can induce and control the non-equilibrium phases in BCP thin films. In this review, we focus on different solvent-induced and thermally induced processive pathways, and their potential to control the non-equilibrium phases with regards to their unique aspects and advantages. Furthermore, we elucidate the limitations of these pathways and discuss the potential avenues for future investigations.
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Xu Z, Dong Q, Zhang L, Li W. Enhanced dielectric permittivity of hierarchically double-gyroid nanocomposites via macromolecular engineering of block copolymers. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:15275-15280. [PMID: 36222383 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr04516h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
It is a challenging task to realize the periodically bicontinuous gyroid nanostructures of flexible nanocomposites with high loading of functionalized nanoparticles, which could exhibit high dielectric permittivity for energy storage and electronic devices. Herein, with the aid of the concept of macromolecular engineering, we propose novel nanocomposites, composed of A'(A''B)n miktoarm star copolymers and nanoparticles, to obtain a double-gyroid structure through self-consistent field theory coupled with density functional theory. By tailoring the architecture of this copolymer, a large window of the double-gyroid phase extending to a high loading concentration of nanoparticles is achieved, leading to a hierarchical structure of a percolation network of nanoparticles within the gyroid channels. Furthermore, the finite difference quasielectrostatic method is integrated to reveal an enhanced dielectric permittivity of the structured nanocomposites by increasing the loading concentration of nanoparticles. The simultaneous achievement of an ordered double-gyroid phase and high loading nanoparticles represents a crucial step toward the realization of fully three-dimensional network-like metamaterials via a rational molecular design of nanocomposites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanwen Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China.
| | - Qingshu Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China.
| | - Liangshun Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Weihua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China.
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