1
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Sun YS, Jian YQ, Yang ST, Wang HF, Junisu BA, Chen CY, Lin JM. Epitaxial Growth of Surface Perforations on Parallel Cylinders in Terraced Films of Block Copolymer/Homopolymer Blends. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:7680-7691. [PMID: 38551605 PMCID: PMC11008238 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c00385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Due to incommensurability between initial thickness and interdomain distance, thermal annealing inevitably produces relief surface terraces (islands and holes) of various morphologies in thin films of block copolymers. We have demonstrated three kinds of surface terraces in blend films: polygrain terraces with diffuse edges, polygrain terraces with step edges, and pseudo-monograin terraces with island coarsening. The three morphologies were obtained by three different thermal histories, respectively. The thermal histories were imposed on blend films, which were prepared by mixing a homopolystyrene (hPS, 6.1 kg/mol) with a weakly segregated, symmetry polystyrene-block poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA, 42 kg/mol) followed by spin coating. At a given weight-fraction ratio of PS-b-PMMA/hPS = 75/25, the interior of the blend films forms parallel cylinders. Nevertheless, the surface of the blend films is always dominated by a skin layer of perforations, which epitaxially grow on top of parallel cylinders. By oxygen plasma etching at various time intervals to probe interior nanodomains, the epitaxial relationship between surface perforations and parallel cylinders has been identified by a scanning electron microscope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Sen Sun
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng
Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Qing Jian
- Department
of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National
Central University, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan
| | - Shin-Tung Yang
- Department
of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National
Central University, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Fang Wang
- Department
of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National
Central University, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan
| | - Belda Amelia Junisu
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng
Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yu Chen
- National
Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu 30076, Taiwan
| | - Jhih-Min Lin
- National
Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu 30076, Taiwan
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2
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Baumgarten N, Mumtaz M, Merino DH, Solano E, Halila S, Bernard J, Drockenmuller E, Fleury G, Borsali R. Interface Manipulations Using Cross-Linked Underlayers and Surface-Active Diblock Copolymers to Extend Morphological Diversity in High-χ Diblock Copolymer Thin Films. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:23736-23748. [PMID: 37134266 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c02247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Top and bottom interfaces of high-χ cylinder-forming polystyrene-block-maltoheptaose (PS-b-MH) diblock copolymer (BCP) thin films are manipulated using cross-linked copolymer underlayers and a fluorinated phase-preferential surface-active polymer (SAP) additive to direct the self-assembly (both morphology and orientation) of BCP microdomains into sub-10 nm patterns. A series of four photo-cross-linkable statistical copolymers with various contents of styrene, a 4-vinylbenzyl azide cross-linker, and a carbohydrate-based acrylamide are processed into 15 nm-thick cross-linked passivation layers on silicon substrates. A partially fluorinated analogue of the PS-b-MH phase-preferential SAP additive is designed to tune the surface energy of the top interface. The self-assembly of PS-b-MH thin films on top of different cross-linked underlayers and including 0-20 wt % of SAP additive is investigated by atomic force microscopy and synchrotron grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering analysis. The precise manipulation of the interfaces of ca. 30 nm thick PS-b-MH films not only allows the control of the in-plane/out-of-plane orientation of hexagonally packed (HEX) cylinders but also promotes epitaxial order-order transitions from HEX cylinders to either face-centered orthorhombic or body-centered cubic spheres without modifying the volume fraction of both blocks. This general approach paves the way for the controlled self-assembly of other high-χ BCP systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noémie Baumgarten
- Univ Lyon, Université Lyon 1, INSA de Lyon, CNRS, Ingénierie des Matériaux Polymères, UMR 5223, F-69003, Lyon, France
| | | | - Daniel Hermida Merino
- Dutch-Belgian Beamline, Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, F-38000 Grenoble, France
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, CINBIO, Universidade de Vigo, Campus Lagoas-Marcosende, E36310 Vigo, Galicia, Spain
| | - Eduardo Solano
- NCD-SWEET Beamline, ALBA Synchrotron Light Source, 08290 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Sami Halila
- Univ Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CERMAV, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Julien Bernard
- Univ Lyon, Université Lyon 1, INSA de Lyon, CNRS, Ingénierie des Matériaux Polymères, UMR 5223, F-69003, Lyon, France
| | - Eric Drockenmuller
- Univ Lyon, Université Lyon 1, INSA de Lyon, CNRS, Ingénierie des Matériaux Polymères, UMR 5223, F-69003, Lyon, France
| | - Guillaume Fleury
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, F-33600 Pessac, France
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Bai L, Luo P, Yang X, Xu J, Kawaguchi D, Zhang C, Yamada NL, Tanaka K, Zhang W, Wang X. Enhanced Glass Transition Temperature of Thin Polystyrene Films Having an Underneath Cross-Linked Layer. ACS Macro Lett 2022; 11:210-216. [PMID: 35574771 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.1c00611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Due to the importance of the interface in the segmental dynamics of supported macromolecule ultrathin films, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of polystyrene (PS) ultrathin films upon solid substrates modified with a cross-linked PS (CLPS) layer has been investigated. The results showed that the Tg of the thin PS films on a silica surface with a ∼5 nm cross-linked layer increased with reducing film thickness. Meanwhile, the increase in Tg of the thin PS films became more pronounced with increasing the cross-linking density of the layer. For example, a 20 nm thick PS film supported on CLPS with 1.8 kDa of cross-linking degree exhibited a ∼35 and ∼50 K increase in Tg compared to its bulk and that on neat SiO2 substrate, respectively. Such a large Tg elevation for the ultrathin PS films was attributed to the interfacial aggregation states in which chains diffused through nanolevel voids formed in the cross-linked layer to the SiO2-Si surface. In such a situation, the chains were topologically constrained in the cross-linked layer with less mobility. These results offer us the opportunity to tailor interfacial effects by changing the degree of cross-linking, which has great potential application in many polymer nanocomposites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Bai
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Pan Luo
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Xudong Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Jianquan Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Daisuke Kawaguchi
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Center for Polymer Interface and Molecular Adhesion Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Cuiyun Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Norifumi L. Yamada
- Neutron Science Division, Institute for Materials Structure Science, High Energy, Acceleration Research Organization, Naka, Ibaraki 319-1106, Japan
| | - Keiji Tanaka
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Center for Polymer Interface and Molecular Adhesion Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Xinping Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
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4
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Hong JW, Jian YQ, Liao YP, Hung HH, Huang TY, Nelson A, Tsao IY, Wu CM, Sun YS. Distributions of Deuterated Polystyrene Chains in Perforated Layers of Blend Films of a Symmetric Polystyrene -block-poly(methyl methacrylate). LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:13046-13058. [PMID: 34696591 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c02132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
We have examined the spatial distributions of polymer chains in blend films of weakly segregated polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) [P(S-b-MMA)] and deuterated polystyrene (dPS). By fine-tuning the composition (ϕPS+dPS = 63.8 vol %) of the total PS/dPS component and annealing temperature (230 and 270 °C), P(S-b-MMA)/dPS blend films mainly form perforated layers with a parallel orientation (hereafter PLs//). The distributions of dPS in PLs// were probed by grazing-incidence small-angle neutron scattering (GISANS) and time-of-flight neutron reflectivity (ToF-NR). GISANS and ToF-NR results offer evidence that dPS chains preferentially locate at the free surface and within the PS layers for blend films that were annealed at 230 °C. Upon annealing at 270 °C, dPS chains distribute within PS layers and perforated PMMA layers. Nevertheless, dPS chains still retain a surface preference for thin films. In contrast, such surface segregation of dPS chains is prohibited for thick films when annealed at 270 °C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Wen Hong
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Qing Jian
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan
| | - Yin-Ping Liao
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan
| | - Hsiang-Ho Hung
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Yen Huang
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu 30076, Taiwan
| | - Andrew Nelson
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, NSW 2232, Australia
| | - I-Yu Tsao
- Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Ming Wu
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu 30076, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Sen Sun
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan
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5
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Robertson M, Zhou Q, Ye C, Qiang Z. Developing Anisotropy in Self-Assembled Block Copolymers: Methods, Properties, and Applications. Macromol Rapid Commun 2021; 42:e2100300. [PMID: 34272778 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202100300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Block copolymers (BCPs) self-assembly has continually attracted interest as a means to provide bottom-up control over nanostructures. While various methods have been demonstrated for efficiently ordering BCP nanodomains, most of them do not generically afford control of nanostructural orientation. For many applications of BCPs, such as energy storage, microelectronics, and separation membranes, alignment of nanodomains is a key requirement for enabling their practical use or enhancing materials performance. This review focuses on summarizing research progress on the development of anisotropy in BCP systems, covering a variety of topics from established aligning techniques, resultant material properties, and the associated applications. Specifically, the significance of aligning nanostructures and the anisotropic properties of BCPs is discussed and highlighted by demonstrating a few promising applications. Finally, the challenges and outlook are presented to further implement aligned BCPs into practical nanotechnological applications, where exciting opportunities exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Robertson
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, 39406, USA
| | - Qingya Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Changhuai Ye
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Zhe Qiang
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, 39406, USA
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6
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Dispersity effects on phase behavior and structural evolution in ultrathin films of a deuterated polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) diblock copolymer. POLYMER 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2020.123027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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7
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Kim JY, Liu P, Maher MJ, Callan DH, Bates CM, Carlson MC, Asano Y, Blachut G, Rettner CT, Cheng JY, Sunday DF, Kline RJ, Sanders DP, Lynd NA, Ellison CJ, Willson CG, Baiz CR. Spatial Control of the Self-assembled Block Copolymer Domain Orientation and Alignment on Photopatterned Surfaces. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:23399-23409. [PMID: 32345022 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c02997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Polarity-switching photopatternable guidelines can be directly used to both orient and direct the self-assembly of block copolymers. We report the orientation and alignment of poly(styrene-block-4-trimethylsilylstyrene) (PS-b-PTMSS) with a domain periodicity, L0, of 44 nm on thin photopatternable grafting surface treatments (pGSTs) and cross-linkable surface treatments (pXSTs), containing acid-labile 4-tert-butoxystyrene monomer units. The surface treatment was exposed using electron beam lithography to create well-defined linear arrays of neutral and preferential regions. Directed self-assembly (DSA) of PS-b-PTMSS with much lower defectivity was observed on pXST than on pGST guidelines. The study of the effect of film thickness on photoacid diffusion by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy suggested slower diffusion in thinner films, potentially enabling production of guidelines with sharper interfaces between the unexposed and exposed lines, and thus, the DSA of PS-b-PTMSS on thinner pXST guidelines resulted in better alignment control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Yeon Kim
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Philip Liu
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Michael J Maher
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
- IBM Research - Almaden, 650 Harry Road, San Jose, California 95120, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Material Science, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Devon H Callan
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Christopher M Bates
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Matthew C Carlson
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Material Science, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Yusuke Asano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Gregory Blachut
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Charles T Rettner
- IBM Research - Almaden, 650 Harry Road, San Jose, California 95120, United States
| | - Joy Y Cheng
- IBM Research - Almaden, 650 Harry Road, San Jose, California 95120, United States
| | - Daniel F Sunday
- Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - R Joseph Kline
- Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Daniel P Sanders
- IBM Research - Almaden, 650 Harry Road, San Jose, California 95120, United States
| | - Nathaniel A Lynd
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Christopher J Ellison
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Material Science, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - C Grant Willson
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Carlos R Baiz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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8
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An S, Kim H, Kim M, Kim S. Photoinduced Modulation of Polymeric Interfacial Behavior Controlling Thin-Film Block Copolymer Wetting. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:3046-3056. [PMID: 32151131 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c00266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The tunable surface-wetting properties of photosensitive random copolymer mats were used to spatially control the orientations of thin-film block copolymer (BCP) structures. A photosensitive mat was produced via thermal treatment on spin-coated random copolymers of poly(styrene-ran-2-nitrobenzyl methacrylate-ran-glycidyl methacrylate), synthesized via reversible-deactivation radical polymerization. The degree of UV-induced deprotection of the nitrobenzyl esters in the mat was precisely controlled through the amount of UV-irradiation energy imparted to the mat. The resulting polarity switching of the constituents collectively altered the interfacial wetting properties of the mat, and the tunability allowed lamellar or cylinder-forming poly(styrene-b-methyl methacrylate) BCP thin films, applied over the mat, to change the domain orientation from perpendicular to parallel at proper UV exposures. UV irradiation passing through a photomask was capable of generating defined regions of BCP domains with targeted orientations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sol An
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Korea
| | - Heein Kim
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Korea
| | - Myungwoong Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Korea
| | - Sangwon Kim
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Korea
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9
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Yang WC, Wu SH, Chen YF, Nelson A, Wu CM, Sun YS. Effects of the Density of Chemical Cross-links and Physical Entanglements of Ultraviolet-Irradiated Polystyrene Chains on Domain Orientation and Spatial Order of Polystyrene- block-Poly(methyl methacrylate) Nano-Domains. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:14017-14030. [PMID: 31577149 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b02054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Ultraviolet irradiation (UVI) of varied duration caused cross-linking and neutralization of polystyrene (PS) homopolymers of molar mass (Mn) from 6 to 290 kg mol-1 on a silicon-oxide surface. An optimal neutral skin layer on the surface of the PS was obtained via brief UVI in air (UVIA), by which the PS had no preferential interaction with either block in the copolymer. UVI in an inert environment (gaseous dinitrogen) (UVIN) stabilized the PS layers via cross-linking and enabled the PS networks to have an effective adhesive contact with the underlying substrate. Thorough examination of domain orientations and spatial orders of a series of block copolymer, polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA), thin films deposited on these UVI-treated PS support layers yielded clear evidence that a dense layer of neutralized PS chains was required for the perpendicular orientation of PS-b-PMMA nanodomains. In particular, in addition to neutralization, two factors-the densities of physical entanglements and of chemical crosslinks-both in UVI-treated PS should be considered for the perpendicular orientation of nanolamellae and nanocylinders in symmetric and asymmetric PS-b-PMMA thin films. The density of physical entanglement in PS depends intrinsically on Mn of the PS, whereas the density of chemical cross-links was controlled with a varied duration of UVIN. Sufficiently large densities of physical entanglements and chemical cross-links can prevent PS-b-PMMA chains from penetrating through the neutral skin layer. The total density of physical entanglements and chemical cross-links required for the perpendicular orientation is correlated with the dimensions of the PS-b-PMMA chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chen Yang
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering , National Central University , No. 300, Zhongda Rd. , Zhongli District, Taoyuan City 32001 , Taiwan
| | - Song-Hao Wu
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering , National Central University , No. 300, Zhongda Rd. , Zhongli District, Taoyuan City 32001 , Taiwan
| | - Yi-Fang Chen
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering , National Central University , No. 300, Zhongda Rd. , Zhongli District, Taoyuan City 32001 , Taiwan
| | - Andrew Nelson
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation , Locked Bag 2001 , Kirrawee DC , New South Wales 2232 , Australia
| | - Chun-Ming Wu
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center , 101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu Science Park , Hsinchu 30076 , Taiwan
| | - Ya-Sen Sun
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering , National Central University , No. 300, Zhongda Rd. , Zhongli District, Taoyuan City 32001 , Taiwan
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10
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Jiang Z, Alam MM, Cheng HH, Blakey I, Whittaker AK. Spatial arrangement of block copolymer nanopatterns using a photoactive homopolymer substrate. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2019; 1:3078-3085. [PMID: 36133582 PMCID: PMC9418028 DOI: 10.1039/c9na00095j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Spatial control of the orientation of block copolymers (BCPs) in thin films offers enormous opportunities for practical nanolithography applications. In this study, we demonstrate the use of a substrate comprised of poly(4-acetoxystyrene) to spatially control interfacial interactions and block copolymer orientation over different length scales. Upon UV irradiation poly(4-acetoxystyrene) undergoes a photo-Fries rearrangement yielding phenolic groups available for further functionalization. The wetting behaviour of PS-b-PMMA deposited on the poly(4-acetoxystyrene) films could be precisely controlled through controlling the UV irradiation dose. After exposure, and a mild post-exposure treatment, the substrate switches from asymmetric, to neutral and then to symmetric wetting. Upon exposure through photomasks, a range of high fidelity micro-patterns consisting of perpendicularly oriented lamellar microdomains were generated. Furthermore, the resolution of chemically patterned poly(4-acetoxystyrene) substrate could be further narrowed to submicrometer scale using electron beam lithography. When the BCP was annealed on an e-beam modified poly(4-acetoxystyrene) surface, the interface between domains of parallel and perpendicular orientation of the BCPs was well defined, especially when compared with the substrates patterned using the photomask.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Jiang
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland St Lucia 4072 Australia
| | - Md Mahbub Alam
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland St Lucia 4072 Australia
| | - Han-Hao Cheng
- Australian National Fabrication Facility-QLD Node, The University of Queensland St Lucia 4072 Australia
| | - Idriss Blakey
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland St Lucia 4072 Australia
| | - Andrew K Whittaker
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland St Lucia 4072 Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, The University of Queensland St Lucia 4072 Australia
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11
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Wang HS, Kim KH, Bang J. Thermal Approaches to Perpendicular Block Copolymer Microdomains in Thin Films: A Review and Appraisal. Macromol Rapid Commun 2018; 40:e1800728. [PMID: 30500096 DOI: 10.1002/marc.201800728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2018] [Revised: 11/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Block copolymer thin films are highly versatile and accessible materials capable of producing nanofeatures in the size regime of a few to hundreds of nanometers by a simple spin-coating-and-anneal process. Unfortunately, this simple protocol usually leads to parallel microdomains, which limits the applicability of such nanofeatures. A great deal of effort has been put into achieving perpendicular microdomains, but those that incorporate thermal annealing are arguably the most practical and reproducible in the lab and industry. This review discusses the recent ongoing efforts on various thermal approaches to achieving perpendicular microdomains in order to provide the readers with a toolbox to work with.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Suk Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Hyun Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Joona Bang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
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12
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Pang Y, Wan L, Huang G, Zhang X, Jin X, Xu P, Liu Y, Han M, Wu GP, Ji S. Controlling Block Copolymer–Substrate Interactions by Homopolymer Brushes/Mats. Macromolecules 2017. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.7b00743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Pang
- Key
Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied
Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, Changchun 130022, China
- University of
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Wan
- HGST, A Western
Digital Company, 5601 Great Oaks Parkway, San Jose, California 95119, United States
| | - Guangcheng Huang
- Key
Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied
Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, Changchun 130022, China
- University of
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaosa Zhang
- Key
Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied
Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, Changchun 130022, China
- University of
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaosa Jin
- Key
Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied
Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, Changchun 130022, China
- University of
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Xu
- College
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yadong Liu
- Key
Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied
Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Miaomiao Han
- Key
Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied
Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Guang-Peng Wu
- MOE Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Shengxiang Ji
- Key
Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied
Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, Changchun 130022, China
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13
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Large area fabrication of graphene nanoribbons by wetting transparency-assisted block copolymer lithography. POLYMER 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2016.12.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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14
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Song JQ, Liu YX, Zhang HD. A surface interaction model for self-assembly of block copolymers under soft confinement. J Chem Phys 2016; 145:214902. [PMID: 28799373 DOI: 10.1063/1.4968599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The surface interaction between substrates and block copolymers is one of the most important factors that control the alignment of self-assembled domains under thin film confinement. Most previous studies simply modeled substrates modified by grafting polymers as a hard wall with a specified surface energy, leading to an incomplete understanding of the role of grafted polymers. In this study, we propose a general model of surface interactions where the role of grafted polymers is decomposed into two independent contributions: the surface preference and the surface softness. Based on this model, we perform a numerical analysis of the stability competition between perpendicular and parallel lamellae of symmetric diblock copolymers on substrates modified by homopolymers using self-consistent field theory. The effects of the surface preference and the surface softness on the alignment of lamellar domains are carefully examined. A phase diagram of the alignment in the plane of the surface preference parameter and the surface softness parameter is constructed, which reveals a considerable parameter window for preparing stable perpendicular lamellae even on highly preferential substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Qing Song
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Xin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong-Dong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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15
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Lane AP, Maher MJ, Willson CG, Ellison CJ. Photopatterning of Block Copolymer Thin Films. ACS Macro Lett 2016; 5:460-465. [PMID: 35607242 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.6b00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Block copolymers are potentially useful materials for large-area 2-D patterning applications due to their spontaneous self-assembly into sub-50 nm domains. However, most thin film engineering applications require patterns of prescribed size, shape, and organization. Photopatterning is a logical choice for manipulating block copolymer features since advanced lithography tools can pattern areas as small as a single block copolymer domain. By exposing either the block copolymer or a responsive interfacial surface to patterned radiation, precise control over placement, orientation, alignment, and selective development of block copolymer domains can be achieved. This Viewpoint highlights some of the recent research in photopatterning block copolymer thin films and identifies areas of future opportunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin P. Lane
- Department of Chemistry and ‡McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Michael J. Maher
- Department of Chemistry and ‡McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - C. Grant Willson
- Department of Chemistry and ‡McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Christopher J. Ellison
- Department of Chemistry and ‡McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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16
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Sun YS, Wang CT, Liou JY. Tuning polymer-surface chemistries and interfacial interactions with UV irradiated polystyrene chains to control domain orientations in thin films of PS-b-PMMA. SOFT MATTER 2016; 12:2923-2931. [PMID: 26890311 DOI: 10.1039/c5sm02605a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate a simple, rapid, cost-effective and robust approach to modify the surface of a solid substrate, based on a UV-irradiated film of a general plastic polymer. Thin films of homopolymer polystyrene (PS) of controlled thickness were spin-coated on diverse metal, semiconductor and polymeric surfaces. Specific surface chemistry was tuned with UV irradiation in air (UVIA); interactions at the PS/substrate interface were enhanced with UV irradiation in nitrogen (UVIN). Oxidized and cross-linked PS served as a neutral surface on various metal, quartz, semiconductor and polymeric substrates to induce perpendicularly oriented cylinders or lamellae in a self-assembled block copolymer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Sen Sun
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan.
| | - Ching-Tun Wang
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan.
| | - Jiun-You Liou
- Material and Chemical Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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17
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Maher MJ, Mori K, Sirard SM, Dinhobl AM, Bates CM, Gurer E, Blachut G, Lane AP, Durand WJ, Carlson MC, Strahan JR, Ellison CJ, Willson CG. Pattern Transfer of Sub-10 nm Features via Tin-Containing Block Copolymers. ACS Macro Lett 2016; 5:391-395. [PMID: 35614710 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.6b00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Tin-containing block copolymers were investigated as materials for nanolithographic applications. Poly(4-trimethylstannylstyrene-block-styrene) (PSnS-PS) and poly(4-trimethylstannylstyrene-block-4-methoxystyrene) (PSnS-PMOST) synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization form lamellar domains with periodicities ranging from 18 to 34 nm. Thin film orientation control was achieved by thermal annealing between a neutral surface treatment and a top coat. Incorporation of tin into one block facilitates pattern transfer into SiO2 via a two-step etch process utilizing oxidative and fluorine-based etch chemistries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stephen M. Sirard
- Lam Research Corporation, 12345 North Lamar #150, Austin, Texas 78753, United States
| | | | - Christopher M. Bates
- Arnold
and Mabel Beckman Laboratories for Chemical Synthesis, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Emir Gurer
- Lam Research Corporation, 4400 Cushing Parkway, Fremont, California 94538, United States
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18
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19
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Durand WJ, Carlson MC, Maher MJ, Blachut G, Santos LJ, Tein S, Ganesan V, Ellison CJ, Willson CG. Experimental and Modeling Study of Domain Orientation in Confined Block Copolymer Thin Films. Macromolecules 2015. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.5b02262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- William J. Durand
- McKetta
Department of Chemical Engineering and ‡Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Matthew C. Carlson
- McKetta
Department of Chemical Engineering and ‡Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Michael J. Maher
- McKetta
Department of Chemical Engineering and ‡Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Gregory Blachut
- McKetta
Department of Chemical Engineering and ‡Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Logan J. Santos
- McKetta
Department of Chemical Engineering and ‡Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Summer Tein
- McKetta
Department of Chemical Engineering and ‡Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Venkat Ganesan
- McKetta
Department of Chemical Engineering and ‡Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Christopher J. Ellison
- McKetta
Department of Chemical Engineering and ‡Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - C. Grant Willson
- McKetta
Department of Chemical Engineering and ‡Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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20
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Janes DW, Maher MJ, Carroll GT, Saylor DM, Ellison CJ. Modulating Solubility and Enhancing Reactivity of Photo-Cross-Linkable Poly(styrene sulfonyl azide-alt-maleic anhydride) Thin Films. Macromolecules 2015. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.5b01875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dustin W. Janes
- Center
for Devices and Radiological Health, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver
Spring, Maryland 20993, United States
| | | | - Gregory T. Carroll
- Sunstar Engineering
Americas, 85 South Pioneer Blvd., Springboro, Ohio 45066, United States
| | - David M. Saylor
- Center
for Devices and Radiological Health, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver
Spring, Maryland 20993, United States
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21
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Mahadevapuram N, Mitra I, Bozhchenko A, Strzalka J, Stein GE. In-plane and out-of-plane defectivity in thin films of lamellar block copolymers. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/polb.23937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nikhila Mahadevapuram
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; University of Houston; Houston Texas 77204-4004
| | - Indranil Mitra
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; University of Houston; Houston Texas 77204-4004
| | - Alona Bozhchenko
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; University of Houston; Houston Texas 77204-4004
| | - Joseph Strzalka
- Argonne National Laboratory; X-Ray Science Division; Argonne Illinois 60439
| | - Gila E. Stein
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; University of Houston; Houston Texas 77204-4004
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22
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Ceresoli M, Palermo M, Ferrarese Lupi F, Seguini G, Perego M, Zuccheri G, Phadatare SD, Antonioli D, Gianotti V, Sparnacci K, Laus M. Neutral wetting brush layers for block copolymer thin films using homopolymer blends processed at high temperatures. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2015; 26:415603. [PMID: 26404164 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/26/41/415603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Binary homopolymer blends of two hydroxyl-terminated polystyrene (PS-OH) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA-OH) homopolymers (Mn ∼ 16000 g mol(-1)) were grafted on SiO2 substrates by high-temperature (T > 150 °C), short-time (t < 600 s) thermal treatments. The resulting brush layer was tested to screen preferential interactions of the SiO2 substrate with the different symmetric and asymmetric PS-b-PMMA block copolymers deposited on top of the grafted molecules. By properly adjusting the blend composition and the processing parameters, an efficient surface neutralization path was identified, enabling the formation, in the block copolymer film, of homogeneous textures of lamellae or cylinders perpendicularly oriented with respect to the substrate. A critical interplay between the phase segregation of the homopolymer blends and their grafting process on the SiO2 was observed. In fact, the polar SiO2 is preferential for the PMMA-rich phase that forms a homogeneous layer on the substrate, while the PS-rich phase is located at the polymer-air interface. During the thermal treatment, phase segregation and grafting proceed simultaneously. Complete wetting of the PS rich phase on the PMMA rich phase leads to the formation of a PS/PMMA bilayer. In this case, the progressive diffusion of PS chains toward the polymer-SiO2 interface during the thermal treatment allows tuning of the brush layer composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ceresoli
- Laboratorio MDM, IMM-CNR, Via C. Olivetti 2, 20864 Agrate Brianza, MB, Italy. Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 16, Milano, 20133, Italy
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23
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Cushen J, Wan L, Blachut G, Maher MJ, Albrecht TR, Ellison CJ, Willson CG, Ruiz R. Double-Patterned Sidewall Directed Self-Assembly and Pattern Transfer of Sub-10 nm PTMSS-b-PMOST. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2015; 7:13476-13483. [PMID: 26004013 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b02481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The directed self-assembly (DSA) of two sub-20 nm pitch silicon-containing block copolymers (BCPs) was accomplished using a double-patterned sidewall scheme in which each lithographic prepatterned feature produced two regions for pattern registration. In doing so, the critical dimension of the lithographic prepatterns was relaxed by a factor of 2 compared to previously reported schemes for DSA. The key to enabling the double-patterned sidewall scheme is the exploitation of the oxidized sidewalls of cross-linked polystyrene formed during the pattern transfer of the resist via reactive ion etching. This results in shallow trenches with two guiding interfaces per prepatterned feature. Electron loss spectroscopy was used to study and confirm the guiding mechanism of the double-patterned sidewalls, and pattern transfer of the BCPs into a silicon substrate was achieved using reactive ion etching. The line edge roughness, width roughness, and placement error are near the target required for bit-patterned media applications, and the technique is also compatible with the needs of the semiconductor industry for high-volume manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Cushen
- †HGST, a Western Digital Company, 3403 Yerba Buena Rd., San Jose, California 95135, United States
| | - Lei Wan
- †HGST, a Western Digital Company, 3403 Yerba Buena Rd., San Jose, California 95135, United States
| | - Gregory Blachut
- ‡The University of Texas at Austin, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, 200 E Dean Keeton St. Stop C0400, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Michael J Maher
- §The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Chemistry, 105 E. 24th St. Stop A5300, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Thomas R Albrecht
- †HGST, a Western Digital Company, 3403 Yerba Buena Rd., San Jose, California 95135, United States
| | - Christopher J Ellison
- ‡The University of Texas at Austin, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, 200 E Dean Keeton St. Stop C0400, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - C Grant Willson
- ‡The University of Texas at Austin, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, 200 E Dean Keeton St. Stop C0400, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
- §The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Chemistry, 105 E. 24th St. Stop A5300, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Ricardo Ruiz
- †HGST, a Western Digital Company, 3403 Yerba Buena Rd., San Jose, California 95135, United States
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24
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Sparnacci K, Antonioli D, Gianotti V, Laus M, Zuccheri G, Ferrarese Lupi F, Giammaria TJ, Seguini G, Ceresoli M, Perego M. Thermal stability of functional P(S-r-MMA) random copolymers for nanolithographic applications. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2015; 7:3920-3930. [PMID: 25664773 DOI: 10.1021/am509088s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Two strategies are envisioned to improve the thermal stability of the grafted layer and to allow the processing of the random copolymer/block copolymer (RCP/BCP) system at high temperature. From one side, a high-temperature thermal treatment of a commercial α-hydroxyl ω-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxy functional RCP, namely, TR58, leads to the formation of a stabilized layer able to induce the perpendicular orientation of a symmetric BCP to temperatures higher than 310 °C. On the other side, an α-hydroxyl ω-Br functional RCP, namely, BrR58, with the same molar mass and composition of TR58, was prepared by activator regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization. The resulting brush layer can sustain the self-assembly of the symmetric BCP for processing temperatures as high as 330 °C. In both systems, the disruption of the BCP film, deposited on the grafted RCP layer, occurs because of the formation of bubbles, due to a low-temperature evolution of monomers from the RCP layer. The extent of the low-temperature monomer evolution is higher for TR58 than it is for BrR58 and starts at lower temperatures. For both copolymers, the thermal treatment offsets the low-temperature monomer evolution while still maintaining surface characteristics suitable to induce the perpendicular orientation of the BCPs, thus ultimately extending the range of processing temperatures of the BCP film and consequently speeding the self-organization process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia Sparnacci
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Innovazione Tecnologica (DISIT), Università del Piemonte Orientale ''A. Avogadro'' , Viale T. Michel 11, 15121 Alessandria, Italy
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25
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Maher MJ, Rettner CT, Bates CM, Blachut G, Carlson MC, Durand WJ, Ellison CJ, Sanders DP, Cheng JY, Willson CG. Directed self-assembly of silicon-containing block copolymer thin films. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2015; 7:3323-3328. [PMID: 25594107 DOI: 10.1021/am508197k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The directed self-assembly (DSA) of lamella-forming poly(styrene-block-trimethylsilylstyrene) (PS-PTMSS, L0=22 nm) was achieved using a combination of tailored top interfaces and lithographically defined patterned substrates. Chemo- and grapho-epitaxy, using hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) based prepatterns, achieved density multiplications up to 6× and trench space subdivisions up to 7×, respectively. These results establish the compatibility of DSA techniques with a high etch contrast, Si-containing BCP that requires a top coat neutral layer to enable orientation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Maher
- Department of Chemistry and §McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin , Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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26
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Maher MJ, Bates CM, Durand WJ, Blachut G, Janes DW, Cheng JY, Sanders DP, Willson CG, Ellison CJ. Interfacial Layers with Photoswitching Surface Energy for Block Copolymer Alignment and Directed Self-Assembly. J PHOTOPOLYM SCI TEC 2015. [DOI: 10.2494/photopolymer.28.611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Maher
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin
- IBM Research-Almaden
| | | | - William J. Durand
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
| | - Gregory Blachut
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
| | - Dustin W. Janes
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
| | | | | | - C. Grant Willson
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
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27
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Durand WJ, Blachut G, Maher MJ, Sirard S, Tein S, Carlson MC, Asano Y, Zhou SX, Lane AP, Bates CM, Ellison CJ, Willson CG. Design of high-χ block copolymers for lithography. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/pola.27370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- William J. Durand
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering; The University of Texas at Austin; Texas 78712
| | - Gregory Blachut
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering; The University of Texas at Austin; Texas 78712
| | - Michael J. Maher
- Department of Chemistry; The University of Texas at Austin; Texas 78712
| | - Stephen Sirard
- Lam Research Corporation; 1321 Rutherford Lane Austin Texas 78753
| | - Summer Tein
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering; The University of Texas at Austin; Texas 78712
| | - Matthew C. Carlson
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering; The University of Texas at Austin; Texas 78712
| | - Yusuke Asano
- Department of Chemistry; The University of Texas at Austin; Texas 78712
| | - Sunshine X. Zhou
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering; The University of Texas at Austin; Texas 78712
| | - Austin P. Lane
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering; The University of Texas at Austin; Texas 78712
| | | | - Christopher J. Ellison
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering; The University of Texas at Austin; Texas 78712
| | - C. Grant Willson
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering; The University of Texas at Austin; Texas 78712
- Department of Chemistry; The University of Texas at Austin; Texas 78712
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28
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Maher MJ, Bates CM, Blachut G, Carlson MC, Self JL, Janes DW, Durand WJ, Lane AP, Ellison CJ, Willson CG. Photopatternable Interfaces for Block Copolymer Lithography. ACS Macro Lett 2014; 3:824-828. [PMID: 35590708 DOI: 10.1021/mz500370r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Directly photopatternable interfaces are introduced that facilitate two-dimensional spatial control of block copolymer (BCP) orientation in thin films. Copolymers containing an acid labile monomer were synthesized, formulated with a photoacid generator (PAG), and coated to create grafted surface treatments (GSTs). These as-cast GST films are either inherently neutral or preferential (but not both) to lamella-forming poly(styrene-block-trimethylsilylstyrene) (PS-b-PTMSS). Subsequent contact printing and baking produced GSTs with submicron chemically patterned gratings. The catalytic reaction of the photoacid generated in the UV-exposed regions of the GSTs changed the interfacial interactions between the BCP and the GST in one of two ways: from neutral to preferential ("N2P") or preferential to neutral ("P2N"). When PS-b-PTMSS was thermally annealed between a chemically patterned GST and a top coat, alternating regions of perpendicular and parallel BCP lamellae were formed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Maher
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Christopher M. Bates
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Gregory Blachut
- McKetta
Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Matthew C. Carlson
- McKetta
Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Jeffrey L. Self
- McKetta
Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Dustin W. Janes
- McKetta
Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - William J. Durand
- McKetta
Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Austin P. Lane
- McKetta
Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Christopher J. Ellison
- McKetta
Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - C. Grant Willson
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
- McKetta
Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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29
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Janes DW, Inoue T, McCoy BD, Madan I, Nealey PF, Willson CG, Ellison CJ. Photochemical Reactions for Replicating and Aligning Block Copolymer Thin Film Patterns. J PHOTOPOLYM SCI TEC 2014. [DOI: 10.2494/photopolymer.27.435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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30
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Keen I, Cheng HH, Yu A, Jack KS, Younkin TR, Leeson MJ, Whittaker AK, Blakey I. Behavior of Lamellar Forming Block Copolymers under Nanoconfinement: Implications for Topography Directed Self-Assembly of Sub-10 nm Structures. Macromolecules 2013. [DOI: 10.1021/ma4019735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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31
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Kim S, Bates CM, Thio A, Cushen JD, Ellison CJ, Willson CG, Bates FS. Consequences of surface neutralization in diblock copolymer thin films. ACS NANO 2013; 7:9905-9919. [PMID: 24131385 DOI: 10.1021/nn403616r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Two high-χ block copolymers, lamella-forming poly(styrene-block-[isoprene-random-epoxyisoprene]) (PS-PEI78, with 78 mol % epoxidation) and lamella-forming poly(4-trimethylsilylstyrene-block-d,l-lactide) (PTMSS-PLA), were used to study three combinations of interfacial neutrality involving at least one neutral interface. PS-PEI78 annealed on a nonpreferential polymer mat (SMG) produced perpendicular lamellae independent of film thickness, indicating a neutral substrate and neutral free surface. In contrast, the presence of only one neutral interface results in the formation of surface topography ("islands" and "holes") with 0.5L0 step heights. PS-PEI78 (neutral free surface) annealed on PS brush (PS block preferential) forms "half" islands and holes. The inverse experiment, PTMSS-PLA (with a PTMSS preferential free surface) annealed on a neutral (or near neutral) substrate surface, also generates 0.5L0 topography. These "half" island and hole structures are stable to extended thermal annealing. PS-PEI78 exposes both blocks at the free surface in contrast to PTMSS-PLA, which exposes just one. All three combinations of interfacial neutrality are explained by the precise balancing of the wetting tendencies of the two blocks. Evolution of the 0.5L0 motifs appears to be facilitated by a preference to form half-period thick nuclei in the initial stages of morphological development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangwon Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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32
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M. Bates
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Michael J. Maher
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Dustin W. Janes
- McKetta
Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Christopher J. Ellison
- McKetta
Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - C. Grant Willson
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
- McKetta
Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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33
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Cushen JD, Wan L, Pandav G, Mitra I, Stein GE, Ganesan V, Ruiz R, Grant Willson C, Ellison CJ. Ordering poly(trimethylsilyl styrene-block
-
D
,L
-lactide) block copolymers in thin films by solvent annealing using a mixture of domain-selective solvents. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1002/polb.23408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julia D. Cushen
- The University of Texas at Austin; Department of Chemical Engineering 200 E Dean Keeton St. Stop C0400 Austin; Texas 78712
| | - Lei Wan
- HGST; A Western Digital Company 3403 Yerba Buena Rd. San Jose; California 95135
| | - Gunja Pandav
- The University of Texas at Austin; Department of Chemical Engineering 200 E Dean Keeton St. Stop C0400 Austin; Texas 78712
| | - Indranil Mitra
- University of Houston; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Houston; Texas 77204
| | - Gila E. Stein
- University of Houston; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Houston; Texas 77204
| | - Venkat Ganesan
- The University of Texas at Austin; Department of Chemical Engineering 200 E Dean Keeton St. Stop C0400 Austin; Texas 78712
| | - Ricardo Ruiz
- HGST; A Western Digital Company 3403 Yerba Buena Rd. San Jose; California 95135
| | - C. Grant Willson
- The University of Texas at Austin; Department of Chemical Engineering 200 E Dean Keeton St. Stop C0400 Austin; Texas 78712
- The University of Texas at Austin; Department of Chemistry 105 E. 24th St. Stop A5300; Austin Texas 78712
| | - Christopher J. Ellison
- The University of Texas at Austin; Department of Chemical Engineering 200 E Dean Keeton St. Stop C0400 Austin; Texas 78712
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34
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Sweat DP, Kim M, Yu X, Schmitt SK, Han E, Choi JW, Gopalan P. A dual functional layer for block copolymer self-assembly and the growth of nanopatterned polymer brushes. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2013; 29:12858-12865. [PMID: 24053350 DOI: 10.1021/la403474k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We present a versatile method for fabricating nanopatterned polymer brushes using a cross-linked thin film made from a random copolymer consisting of an inimer (p-(2-bromoisobutyloylmethyl)styrene), styrene, and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). The amount of inimer was held constant at 20 or 30% while the relative amount of styrene to GMA was varied to induce perpendicular domain orientation in an overlying P(S-b-MMA) block copolymer (BCP) film for lamellar and cylindrical morphologies. A cylinder forming BCP blend with PMMA homopolymer was assembled to create a perpendicular hexagonal array of cylinders, which allowed access to a nanoporous template without the loss of initiator functionality. Surface-initiated ATRP of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate was conducted through the pores to generate a dense array of nanopatterned brushes. Alternatively, gold was deposited into the nanopores, and brushes were grown around the dots after removal of the template. This is the first example of combining the chemistry of nonpreferential surfaces with surface-initiated growth of polymer chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P Sweat
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin , Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
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35
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Ting JM, Navale TS, Bates FS, Reineke TM. Precise Compositional Control and Systematic Preparation of Multimonomeric Statistical Copolymers. ACS Macro Lett 2013; 2:770-774. [PMID: 35606978 DOI: 10.1021/mz4003112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
A comprehensive approach to target exact molecular weights and chemical compositions for multimonomeric statistical copolymers using a new controlled statistics method with reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer free-radical (RAFT) polymerization is presented. The system chosen to illustrate this procedure is an acrylic quarterpolymer consisting of methyl acrylate, 2-carboxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, and 2-propylacetyl acrylate, modeling a well-known macromolecule utilized to deliver poorly water-soluble drugs (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate, HPMCAS). The relative reactivities at 70 °C between monomer pairs were measured and employed to predict the feed ratio necessary for synthesizing well-defined compositions based on the Walling-Briggs model. Application of Skeist's equations addressed compositional drift and anticipated the general monomer incorporation distribution as a function of conversion, which was verified experimentally. This new and simple paradigm combining both predictive models provides complementary synthetic and predictive tools for designing macromolecular chemical architectures with hierarchical control over spatially dependent structure-property relationships for complex applications such as oral drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M. Ting
- Departments of §Chemistry and ‡Chemical Engineering and Materials
Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455-0431,
United States
| | - Tushar S. Navale
- Departments of §Chemistry and ‡Chemical Engineering and Materials
Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455-0431,
United States
| | - Frank S. Bates
- Departments of §Chemistry and ‡Chemical Engineering and Materials
Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455-0431,
United States
| | - Theresa M. Reineke
- Departments of §Chemistry and ‡Chemical Engineering and Materials
Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455-0431,
United States
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36
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Luo M, Epps TH. Directed Block Copolymer Thin Film Self-Assembly: Emerging Trends in Nanopattern Fabrication. Macromolecules 2013. [DOI: 10.1021/ma401112y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ming Luo
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Thomas H. Epps
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
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37
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Gu Y, Zhang S, Martinetti L, Lee KH, McIntosh LD, Frisbie CD, Lodge TP. High Toughness, High Conductivity Ion Gels by Sequential Triblock Copolymer Self-Assembly and Chemical Cross-Linking. J Am Chem Soc 2013; 135:9652-5. [DOI: 10.1021/ja4051394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyan Gu
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414-0431, United States
| | - Sipei Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414-0431, United States
| | - Luca Martinetti
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414-0431, United States
| | - Keun Hyung Lee
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414-0431, United States
| | - Lucas D. McIntosh
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414-0431, United States
| | - C. Daniel Frisbie
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414-0431, United States
| | - Timothy P. Lodge
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414-0431, United States
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38
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Bates CM, Seshimo T, Maher MJ, Durand WJ, Cushen JD, Dean LM, Blachut G, Ellison CJ, Willson CG. Polarity-switching top coats enable orientation of sub-10-nm block copolymer domains. Science 2012; 338:775-9. [PMID: 23139327 DOI: 10.1126/science.1226046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 261] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Block copolymers (BCPs) must necessarily have high interaction parameters (χ), a fundamental measure of block incompatibility, to self-assemble into sub-10-nanometer features. Unfortunately, a high χ often results from blocks that have disparate interfacial energies, which makes the formation of useful thin-film domain orientations challenging. To mitigate interfacial forces, polymers composed of maleic anhydride and two other components have been designed as top coats that can be spin-coated from basic aqueous solution in the ring-opened, acid salt form. When baked, the anhydride reforms and switches polarity to create a neutral layer enabling BCP feature alignment not possible by thermal annealing alone. Top coats were applied to the lamella-forming block copolymers poly(styrene-block-trimethylsilylstyrene-block-styrene) and poly(trimethylsilylstyrene-block-lactide), which were thermally annealed to produce perpendicular features with linewidths of 15 and 9 nanometers, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Bates
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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39
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Keen I, Yu A, Cheng HH, Jack KS, Nicholson TM, Whittaker AK, Blakey I. Control of the orientation of symmetric poly(styrene)-block-poly(D,L-lactide) block copolymers using statistical copolymers of dissimilar composition. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2012; 28:15876-15888. [PMID: 23088516 DOI: 10.1021/la304141m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The interactions of block copolymers with surfaces can be controlled by coating those surfaces with appropriate statistical copolymers. Usually, a statistical copolymer comprised of monomer units identical to those of the block copolymer is used; that is, typically a poly(styrene)-stat-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-stat-PMMA) is used to direct the alignment of poly(styrene)-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-block-PMMA), and poly(styrene)-stat-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-stat-P2VP) has been used for poly(styrene)-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-block-P2VP). Reports of controlling the orientation of block copolymers with statistical copolymers with a dissimilar composition are limited. Here, we demonstrate that this method can be further extended to show that PS-stat-PMMA can be used to control the wetting properties of poly(styrene)-block-poly(D,L-lactide) (PS-block-PDLA). Surfaces were modified with a series of cross-linked PS-stat-PMMA-stat-glycidyl methacrylate terpolymers, and the surface chemistries and energies were assessed using angle-dependent X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and the two-liquid harmonic method, respectively. From these experiments, an expected neutral compositional window was identified for symmetrical PS-block-PDLA. Moreover, high-resolution SEM, AD-XPS, and grazing-incidence SAXS measurements were used to evaluate the morphology of PS-block-PDLA as a function of the surface composition of the underlying cross-linked copolymer films, and the neutral composition was found to range from 32 to 38 mol % of PS, in the bulk polymer. Ultimately, we demonstrated the determination of nonpreferential surface compositions that allow the self-assembly of lamellae with sizes in the sub-10 nm regime that are oriented perpendicular to the substrate. These findings have important implications for the use of PS-block-PDLA block copolymers in directed self-assembly, most specifically in advanced lithographic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imelda Keen
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
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40
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Bates CM, Pantoja MAB, Strahan JR, Dean LM, Mueller BK, Ellison CJ, Nealey PF, Willson CG. Synthesis and thin-film orientation of poly(styrene-block-trimethylsilylisoprene). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/pola.26375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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41
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Ji S, Nagpal U, Liu G, Delcambre SP, Müller M, de Pablo JJ, Nealey PF. Directed assembly of non-equilibrium ABA triblock copolymer morphologies on nanopatterned substrates. ACS NANO 2012; 6:5440-5448. [PMID: 22559146 DOI: 10.1021/nn301306v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The majority of past work on directed assembly of block copolymers on chemically nanopatterned surfaces (or chemical patterns) has focused on AB diblock copolymers, and the resulting morphologies have generally corresponded to equilibrium states. Here we report a study on directed assembly of ABA triblock copolymers. Directed assembly of thin films of symmetric poly(methyl methacrylate-b-styrene-b-methyl methacrylate) (PMMA-b-PS-b-PMMA) triblock copolymers is shown to be capable of achieving a high degree of perfection, registration, and accuracy on striped patterns having periods, L(s), commensurate with the bulk period of the copolymer, L(o). When L(s) is incommensurate with L(o), the triblock copolymer domains can reach dimensions up to 55% larger or 13% smaller than L(o). The range over which triblock copolymers tolerate departures from a commensurate L(s) is significantly larger than that accessible with the corresponding diblock copolymer material on analogous directed assembly systems. The assembly kinetics of the triblock copolymer is approximately 3 orders of magnitude slower than observed in the diblock system. Theoretically informed simulations are used to interpret our experimental observations; a thermodynamic analysis reveals that triblocks can form highly ordered, non-equilibrium metastable structures that do not arise in the diblock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengxiang Ji
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, Changchun 130022, China.
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42
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Liu G, Detcheverry F, Ramírez-Hernández A, Yoshida H, Tada Y, de Pablo JJ, Nealey PF. Nonbulk Complex Structures in Thin Films of Symmetric Block Copolymers on Chemically Nanopatterned Surfaces. Macromolecules 2012. [DOI: 10.1021/ma202777s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Guoliang Liu
- Department
of Chemical and Biological
Engineering, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - François Detcheverry
- LPMCN, Université de
Lyon, Université Lyon 1 and CNRS, UMR 5586, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Abelardo Ramírez-Hernández
- Department
of Chemical and Biological
Engineering, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Hiroshi Yoshida
- Hitachi Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi City, Ibaraki 319-1292, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Tada
- Hitachi Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi City, Ibaraki 319-1292, Japan
| | - Juan J. de Pablo
- Department
of Chemical and Biological
Engineering, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Paul F. Nealey
- Department
of Chemical and Biological
Engineering, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
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43
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Kim S, Nealey PF, Bates FS. Decoupling Bulk Thermodynamics and Wetting Characteristics of Block Copolymer Thin Films. ACS Macro Lett 2012; 1:11-14. [PMID: 35578471 DOI: 10.1021/mz2000169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The consequences on certain physical properties of controlled levels of epoxidation of the poly(isoprene) blocks in poly(styrene-b-isoprene) (PS-PI) diblock copolymers and poly(isoprene) (hPI) homopolymers have been studied, where the products after epoxidation are denoted PS-PIxn and hPIxn, respectively. The effective interaction parameters χeff between the PS and the PIxn blocks were estimated by applying mean-field theory to the lamellar periodicities identified by small-angle X-ray scattering and to the order-to-disorder transition temperatures determined by dynamic mechanical spectroscopy. These results were fit to a binary segment-segment interaction parameter model indicating a nonlinear change in χeff with percent epoxidation. In contrast, contact angle measurement on hPIxn and lamellar orientations of thin-film PS-PIxn suggest that the surface energy of PIxn increases linearly with epoxidation. This decoupling of bulk and thin-film thermodynamic behaviors is attributed to the different roles that a random copolymer architecture plays in establishing three-dimensional order versus wetting at a two-dimensional surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangwon Kim
- Department of Chemical
Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Paul F. Nealey
- Department of Chemical
and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Frank S. Bates
- Department of Chemical
Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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44
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Seshimo T, Bates CM, Dean LM, Cushen JD, Durand WJ, Maher MJ, Ellison CJ, Willson CG. Block Copolymer Orientation Control Using a Top-Coat Surface Treatment. J PHOTOPOLYM SCI TEC 2012. [DOI: 10.2494/photopolymer.25.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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45
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Trombly DM, Pryamitsyn V, Ganesan V. Self-Assembly of Diblock Copolymer on Substrates Modified by Random Copolymer Brushes. Macromolecules 2011. [DOI: 10.1021/ma202075d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David M. Trombly
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Victor Pryamitsyn
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Venkat Ganesan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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46
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Damiron D, Okhay N, Akhrass SA, Cassagnau P, Drockenmuller E. Crosslinked PDMS elastomers and coatings from the thermal curing of vinyl-functionalized PDMS and a diazide aliphatic crosslinker. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/pola.24991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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47
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Vu T, Mahadevapuram N, Perera GM, Stein GE. Controlling Domain Orientations in Thin Films of AB and ABA Block Copolymers. Macromolecules 2011. [DOI: 10.1021/ma2009222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thai Vu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204-4004, United States
| | - Nikhila Mahadevapuram
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204-4004, United States
| | - Ginusha M. Perera
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204-4004, United States
| | - Gila E. Stein
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204-4004, United States
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