1
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Ikami T, Aoki H, Terashima T. Lamellar Microphase Separation and Phase Transition of Hydrogen-Bonding/Crystalline Statistical Copolymers: Amide Functionalization at the Interface. ACS Macro Lett 2024; 13:446-452. [PMID: 38547521 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.3c00743] [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
Microphase separation of random copolymers, as well as that of high χ-low N block copolymers, is promising to construct sub-10-nm structures into materials. Herein, we designed statistical copolymers consisting of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) and N-octadecylacrylamide (ODAAm) to produce crystallization and hydrogen bond-assisted lamellar structure materials. The copolymers not only formed a crystalline lamellar structure with 3-4 nm domain spacing but also maintained an amorphous lamellar structure via phase transition above the melting temperature up to approximately 100 °C. The key is to introduce hydrogen-bonding amide junctions between the octadecyl groups and the polymer backbones, by which the polymer chains are physically fixed at the interface of lamellar structures even above the melting temperature. The stabilization of the lamellar structure by the amide units is also supported by the fact that the lamellar structure of all-acrylate random copolymers bearing hydroxyethyl and crystalline octadecyl groups is disordered above the melting temperature. By spin-coating on a silicon substrate, the HEA/ODAAm copolymer formed a multilayered lamellar thin film consisting of a hydrophilic hydroxyethyl/main chain phase and a hydrophobic octadecyl phase. The structure and order-disorder transition were analyzed by neutron reflectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaya Ikami
- Department of Polymer Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Aoki
- Materials and Life Science Division, J-PARC Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Tokai, Naka-gun, Ibaraki 319-1195, Japan
- Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, Tokai, Naka-gun, Ibaraki 319-1106, Japan
| | - Takaya Terashima
- Department of Polymer Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
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2
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Hao H, Chen S, Ren J, Chen X, Nealey P. Enhanced etching resolution of self-assembled PS-b-PMMA block copolymer films by ionic liquid additives. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2023; 34:205303. [PMID: 36709513 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/acb6df] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) is one of the most widely studied block copolymers for direct self-assembly because of its excellent compatibility with traditional processes. However, pattern transfer of PS-b-PMMA block copolymers (BCPs) remains a great challenge for its applications due to the insufficient etching resolution. In this study, the effect of ionic liquid 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (HMHF) additives on the line edge roughness (LER) performances of PS-b-PMMA self-assembled patterns was studied. Trace addition of HMHF kept the photolithography compatibility of PS-b-PMMA block copolymer films, but obviously increased their Flory-Huggins interaction parameter (χ) and enabled phase separation of disordered low molecular weight BCPs. LER value was effectively decreased by blending HMHF directly with PS-b-PMMA or from a supplying top layer of polyvinylpyrrolidone containing HMHF additives. This study shows an excellent strategy to improve the deficiencies of existing block copolymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbo Hao
- College of Material Science & Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Inorganic Function Composites, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuangjun Chen
- College of Material Science & Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Inorganic Function Composites, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaxing Ren
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, 60637, IL, United States of America
| | - Xuanxuan Chen
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, 60637, IL, United States of America
| | - Paul Nealey
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, 60637, IL, United States of America
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3
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Angelopoulou PP, Moutsios I, Manesi GM, Ivanov DA, Sakellariou G, Avgeropoulos A. Designing high χ copolymer materials for nanotechnology applications: A systematic bulk vs. thin films approach. Prog Polym Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2022.101625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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4
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Sub-10 nm Thin Film Feature Sizes of Chemically Tailored Poly(styrene-block-methyl methacrylate) with Randomly Distributed Fluorine Units. CHINESE JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10118-022-2853-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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5
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Lai H, Huang G, Tian X, Liu Y, Ji S. Engineering the domain roughness of block copolymer in directed self-assembly. POLYMER 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2022.124853] [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]
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6
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Yoshimura T, Morishita T, Agata Y, Nagashima K, Wylie K, Nabae Y, Hayakawa T, Ouchi M. Long-Range Ordered Lamellar Formation with Lower Molecular Weight PS-PMMA Block Copolymers: Significant Effects of Discrete Oligopeptides at the Junction. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c02569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tomoka Yoshimura
- Department of Polymer Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Tomofumi Morishita
- Department of Polymer Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Agata
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan
| | - Kodai Nagashima
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan
| | - Kevin Wylie
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan
| | - Yuta Nabae
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan
| | - Teruaki Hayakawa
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan
| | - Makoto Ouchi
- Department of Polymer Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
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7
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Majoinen J, Bouilhac C, Rannou P, Borsali R. Unidirectional Perpendicularly Aligned Lamella-Structured Oligosaccharide (A) ABA Triblock Elastomer (B) Thin Films Utilizing Triazolium +/TFSI - Ionic Nanochannels. ACS Macro Lett 2022; 11:140-148. [PMID: 35574795 PMCID: PMC8772381 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.1c00712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We designed and synthesized high χ-low N-maltoheptaose-(triazolium+/N(SO2CF3)2-)-polyisoprene-(triazolium+/N(SO2CF3)2-)-maltoheptaose ABA triblock elastomers featuring triazolium+/N(SO2CF3)2- (TFSI-) counteranion ionic interfaces separating their constituting polymeric sub-blocks. Spin-coated and solvent-vapor-annealed (SVA) MH1.2k-(T+/TFSI-)-PI4.3k-(T+/TFSI-)-MH1.2k thin films demonstrate interface-induced charge cohesion through ca. 1 nm "thick" ionic nanochannels which facilitate the self-assembly of a perpendicularly aligned lamellar structure. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and (grazing-incidence) small-angle X-ray scattering ((GI)SAXS) characterizations of MH1.2k-(T+/TFSI-)-PI4.3k-(T+/TFSI-)-MH1.2k and pristine triBCP analogous thin films revealed sub-10 nm block copolymer (BCP) self-assembly and unidirectionally aligned nanostructures developed over several μm2 areas. Solvated TFSI- counterions enhance the oligosaccharide sub-block packing during SVA. The overall BCP phase behavior was mapped through SAXS characterizations comparing di- vs triblock polymeric architectures, a middle PI sub-block with two different molecular masses, and TFSI- or I- counteranion effects. This work highlights the benefits of inducing single-point electrostatic interactions within chemical structures of block copolymers to master the long-range self-assembly of prescribed morphologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Majoinen
- Université
Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CERMAV, 38000 Grenoble, France
- Université
Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, INAC-SyMMES, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Cécile Bouilhac
- ICGM,
Université Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Patrice Rannou
- Université
Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, Grenoble INP, LEPMI, 38000 Grenoble, France
- Université
Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, INAC-SyMMES, 38000 Grenoble, France
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8
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Li W, Carrillo JMY, Sumpter BG, Kumar R. Modulating Microphase Separation of Lamellae-Forming Diblock Copolymers via Ionic Junctions. ACS Macro Lett 2020; 9:1667-1673. [PMID: 35617068 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.0c00592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
We present a molecular dynamics simulation study investigating the phase behavior of lamellae-forming diblock copolymers with a single ionic junction on the backbone. Our results show qualitative agreement with experimental findings regarding enhanced microphase separation with the introduction of an ionic junction at the conjunction point, while further revealing nonmonotonic changes in domain spacing and order-disorder transition as a function of the electrostatic interaction strength. This highlights the dominant roles of entropic and binding effects of counterions under weak and strong ionic correlations, respectively. The location of the ionic junction is found to effectively modulate the charge distribution and chain conformation in the ordered domains; its presence in the middle of a block promotes folding of the block, leading to a smaller domain size. These findings demonstrate the interplay of ionic coupling with steric hindrance and chain end effects, which enhances our understanding of the delicate control over the microphase domain features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Jan-Michael Y. Carrillo
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Bobby G. Sumpter
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Rajeev Kumar
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
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9
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Kureha T, Hiroshige S, Suzuki D, Sawada J, Aoki D, Takata T, Shibayama M. Quantification for the Mixing of Polymers on Microspheres in Waterborne Latex Films. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:4855-4862. [PMID: 32348148 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c00612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Although tremendous efforts have been devoted to the structural analysis and understanding of the toughness of latex films, in which soft elastomer microspheres are interpenetrated, a method to quantitatively analyze the mixing of polymer chains at the microsphere surface, i.e., delocalization of hydrophilic charged group on the polymer chains by aging, has not yet been established. In this study, small-angle X-ray scattering was applied to characterize latex films by assuming a pseudo-two-phase system, which consists of an average-electron density microsphere core and a high-electron density interphase between the microsphere interfaces due to localized charged groups. The thus obtained parameter, i.e., the characteristic interfacial thickness (tinter), quantitatively reflects the degree of mixing of polymer chains on the microsphere surface. We found that tinter is strongly correlated to the fracture energy of the latex films. The proposed analysis method for the microscopic mixing of polymers on the microsphere surface in the film can thus be expected to shed light on design guidelines for industrial latex films and on the understanding of the mechanical properties of such films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuma Kureha
- Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa 277-8581, Japan
| | | | - Daisuke Suzuki
- JST CREST (Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology), 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan
| | - Jun Sawada
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan
| | - Daisuke Aoki
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan
- JST CREST (Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology), 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan
| | - Toshikazu Takata
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan
- JST CREST (Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology), 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Shibayama
- Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa 277-8581, Japan
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10
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Patterson AL, Yu B, Danielsen SPO, Davidson EC, Fredrickson GH, Segalman RA. Monomer Sequence Effects on Interfacial Width and Mixing in Self-Assembled Diblock Copolymers. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b02426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia L. Patterson
- Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Beihang Yu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Scott P. O. Danielsen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Emily C. Davidson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Glenn H. Fredrickson
- Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Rachel A. Segalman
- Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
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11
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Kim J, Jung HY, Park MJ. End-Group Chemistry and Junction Chemistry in Polymer Science: Past, Present, and Future. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b02293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jihoon Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Korea 790-784
| | - Ha Young Jung
- Department of Chemistry, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Korea 790-784
| | - Moon Jeong Park
- Department of Chemistry, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Korea 790-784
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12
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Characterisation of the PS-PMMA Interfaces in Microphase Separated Block Copolymer Thin Films by Analytical (S)TEM. NANOMATERIALS 2020; 10:nano10010141. [PMID: 31941037 PMCID: PMC7022429 DOI: 10.3390/nano10010141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Block copolymer (BCP) self-assembly is a promising tool for next generation lithography as microphase separated polymer domains in thin films can act as templates for surface nanopatterning with sub-20 nm features. The replicated patterns can, however, only be as precise as their templates. Thus, the investigation of the morphology of polymer domains is of great importance. Commonly used analytical techniques (neutron scattering, scanning force microscopy) either lack spatial information or nanoscale resolution. Using advanced analytical (scanning) transmission electron microscopy ((S)TEM), we provide real space information on polymer domain morphology and interfaces between polystyrene (PS) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) in cylinder- and lamellae-forming BCPs at highest resolution. This allows us to correlate the internal structure of polymer domains with line edge roughnesses, interface widths and domain sizes. STEM is employed for high-resolution imaging, electron energy loss spectroscopy and energy filtered TEM (EFTEM) spectroscopic imaging for material identification and EFTEM thickness mapping for visualisation of material densities at defects. The volume fraction of non-phase separated polymer species can be analysed by EFTEM. These methods give new insights into the morphology of polymer domains the exact knowledge of which will allow to improve pattern quality for nanolithography.
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13
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Apebende EA, Dubois L, Bruns N. Light-responsive block copolymers with a spiropyran located at the block junction. Eur Polym J 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2019.06.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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14
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Yoshida K, Tanaka S, Yamamoto T, Tajima K, Borsali R, Isono T, Satoh T. Chain-End Functionalization with a Saccharide for 10 nm Microphase Separation: “Classical” PS-b-PMMA versus PS-b-PMMA-Saccharide. Macromolecules 2018. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.8b02069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Yoshida
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering and Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido 080-8628, Japan
| | - Shunma Tanaka
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering and Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido 080-8628, Japan
| | - Takuya Yamamoto
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering and Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido 080-8628, Japan
| | - Kenji Tajima
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering and Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido 080-8628, Japan
| | | | - Takuya Isono
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering and Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido 080-8628, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Satoh
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering and Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido 080-8628, Japan
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15
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Lee KS, Lee J, Choi C, Seo Y, Moon HC, Kim JK. Vertically Oriented Nanostructures of Poly(3-dodecylthiophene)-Containing Rod–Coil Block Copolymers. Macromolecules 2018. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.7b02739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kyu Seong Lee
- National Creative Research Initiative Center for Smart Block Copolymers, Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Kyungbuk 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeyong Lee
- National Creative Research Initiative Center for Smart Block Copolymers, Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Kyungbuk 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Chungryong Choi
- National Creative Research Initiative Center for Smart Block Copolymers, Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Kyungbuk 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeseong Seo
- National Creative Research Initiative Center for Smart Block Copolymers, Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Kyungbuk 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Chul Moon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Seoul, Seoul 02504, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Kon Kim
- National Creative Research Initiative Center for Smart Block Copolymers, Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Kyungbuk 37673, Republic of Korea
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Nickmans K, Schenning APHJ. Directed Self-Assembly of Liquid-Crystalline Molecular Building Blocks for Sub-5 nm Nanopatterning. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2018; 30:1703713. [PMID: 29052916 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201703713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The thin-film directed self-assembly of molecular building blocks into oriented nanostructure arrays enables next-generation lithography at the sub-5 nm scale. Currently, the fabrication of inorganic arrays from molecular building blocks is restricted by the limited long-range order and orientation of the materials, as well as suitable methodologies for creating lithographic templates at sub-5 nm dimensions. In recent years, higher-order liquid crystals have emerged as functional thin films for organic electronics, nanoporous membranes, and templated synthesis, which provide opportunities for their use as lithographic templates. By choosing examples from these fields, recent progress toward the design of molecular building blocks is highlighted, with an emphasis on liquid crystals, to access sub-5 nm features, their directed self-assembly into oriented thin films, and, importantly, the fabrication of inorganic arrays. Finally, future challenges regarding sub-5 nm patterning with liquid crystals are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen Nickmans
- Laboratory of Functional Organic Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600, MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Albert P H J Schenning
- Laboratory of Functional Organic Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600, MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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