1
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Weisbord I, Segal-Peretz T. Revealing the 3D Structure of Block Copolymers with Electron Microscopy: Current Status and Future Directions. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:58003-58022. [PMID: 37338172 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c02956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Block copolymers (BCPs) are considered model systems for understanding and utilizing self-assembly in soft matter. Their tunable nanometric structure and composition enable comprehensive studies of self-assembly processes as well as make them relevant materials in diverse applications. A key step in developing and controlling BCP nanostructures is a full understanding of their three-dimensional (3D) structure and how this structure is affected by the BCP chemistry, confinement, boundary conditions, and the self-assembly evolution and dynamics. Electron microscopy (EM) is a leading method in BCP 3D characterization owing to its high resolution in imaging nanosized structures. Here we discuss the two main 3D EM methods: namely, transmission EM tomography and slice and view scanning EM tomography. We present each method's principles, examine their strengths and weaknesses, and discuss ways researchers have devised to overcome some of the challenges in BCP 3D characterization with EM- from specimen preparation to imaging radiation-sensitive materials. Importantly, we review current and new cutting-edge EM methods such as direct electron detectors, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy of soft matter, high temporal rate imaging, and single-particle analysis that have great potential for expanding the BCP understanding through EM in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inbal Weisbord
- Chemical Engineering Department, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Tamar Segal-Peretz
- Chemical Engineering Department, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
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2
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Seguini G, Motta A, Bigatti M, Caligiore FE, Rademaker G, Gharbi A, Tiron R, Tallarida G, Perego M, Cianci E. Al 2O 3 Dot and Antidot Array Synthesis in Hexagonally Packed Poly(styrene- block-methyl methacrylate) Nanometer-Thick Films for Nanostructure Fabrication. ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS 2022; 5:9818-9828. [PMID: 35937588 PMCID: PMC9344376 DOI: 10.1021/acsanm.2c02013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Nanostructured organic templates originating from self-assembled block copolymers (BCPs) can be converted into inorganic nanostructures by sequential infiltration synthesis (SIS). This capability is particularly relevant within the framework of advanced lithographic applications because of the exploitation of the BCP-based nanostructures as hard masks. In this work, Al2O3 dot and antidot arrays were synthesized by sequential infiltration of trimethylaluminum and water precursors into perpendicularly oriented cylinder-forming poly(styrene-block-methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) BCP thin films. The mechanism governing the effective incorporation of Al2O3 into the PMMA component of the BCP thin films was investigated evaluating the evolution of the lateral and vertical dimensions of Al2O3 dot and antidot arrays as a function of the SIS cycle number. The not-reactive PS component and the PS/PMMA interface in self-assembled PS-b-PMMA thin films result in additional paths for diffusion and supplementary surfaces for sorption of precursor molecules, respectively. Thus, the mass uptake of Al2O3 into the PMMA block of self-assembled PS-b-PMMA thin films is higher than that in pure PMMA thin films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Seguini
- IMM-CNR,
Unit of Agrate Brianza, Via C. Olivetti 2, Agrate Brianza I-20864, Italy
| | - Alessia Motta
- IMM-CNR,
Unit of Agrate Brianza, Via C. Olivetti 2, Agrate Brianza I-20864, Italy
| | - Marco Bigatti
- IMM-CNR,
Unit of Agrate Brianza, Via C. Olivetti 2, Agrate Brianza I-20864, Italy
| | | | | | - Ahmed Gharbi
- Univ.
Grenoble Alpes, CEA, Leti, Grenoble F-38000, France
| | - Raluca Tiron
- Univ.
Grenoble Alpes, CEA, Leti, Grenoble F-38000, France
| | - Graziella Tallarida
- IMM-CNR,
Unit of Agrate Brianza, Via C. Olivetti 2, Agrate Brianza I-20864, Italy
| | - Michele Perego
- IMM-CNR,
Unit of Agrate Brianza, Via C. Olivetti 2, Agrate Brianza I-20864, Italy
| | - Elena Cianci
- IMM-CNR,
Unit of Agrate Brianza, Via C. Olivetti 2, Agrate Brianza I-20864, Italy
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3
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Chang CY, Manesi GM, Avgeropoulos A, Ho RM. Superlattice Structure from Self-Assembly of High-χ Block Copolymers via Chain Interdigitation. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c00358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Yen Chang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Gkreti-Maria Manesi
- Department of Materials Science Engineering, University of Ioannina, University Campus, Ioannina 45110, Greece
| | - Apostolos Avgeropoulos
- Department of Materials Science Engineering, University of Ioannina, University Campus, Ioannina 45110, Greece
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU), GSP-1, 1-3 Leninskiye Gory, 119991 14 Moscow, Russia
| | - Rong-Ming Ho
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, R.O.C
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4
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Zheng CY, Yao Y, Deng J, Seifert S, Wong AM, Lee B, Mirkin CA. Confined Growth of DNA-Assembled Superlattice Films. ACS NANO 2022; 16:4813-4822. [PMID: 35213130 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c00161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We study the assembly of DNA-functionalized nanocubes under lateral confinement in microscale square trenches on a DNA-functionalized substrate. Microfocus small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are used to characterize the superlattices (SLs). The results indicate that nanocubes form simple-cubic SLs with square-prism morphology and a (100) out-of-plane orientation to maximize DNA bonding. In-plane, SLs align with the template, exposing their {100} side facets, and the degree of alignment depends on trench size. Interestingly, the distribution of in-plane orientations determined from SAXS and SEM do not agree, indicating that the internal and external structures of the SLs differ. To understand this discrepancy, X-ray ptychography is employed to image the internal structures of the SLs, revealing that SLs which appear to be single-crystalline in SEM may have subsurface grain boundaries, depending on trench size. SEM reveals that the SLs grow via nucleation and growth of randomly oriented domains, which then coalesce; this mechanism explains the observed dependence of alignment and defect structure on size. Interestingly, crystallization occurs via an unusual growth mode, whereby continuous SL layers grow on top of several misoriented islands. Overall, this work elucidates the effect of lateral confinement on the crystallization of DNA-functionalized nanoparticles and shows how X-ray ptychography can be used to gain insight into nanoparticle crystallization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yudong Yao
- X-ray Science Division, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Junjing Deng
- X-ray Science Division, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Soenke Seifert
- X-ray Science Division, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | | | - Byeongdu Lee
- X-ray Science Division, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
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5
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Yan XY, Guo QY, Liu XY, Wang Y, Wang J, Su Z, Huang J, Bian F, Lin H, Huang M, Lin Z, Liu T, Liu Y, Cheng SZD. Superlattice Engineering with Chemically Precise Molecular Building Blocks. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:21613-21621. [PMID: 34913335 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c09831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Correlating nanoscale building blocks with mesoscale superlattices, mimicking metal alloys, a rational engineering strategy becomes critical to generate designed periodicity with emergent properties. For molecule-based superlattices, nevertheless, nonrigid molecular features and multistep self-assembly make the molecule-to-superlattice correlation less straightforward. In addition, single component systems possess intrinsically limited volume asymmetry of self-assembled spherical motifs (also known as "mesoatoms"), further hampering novel superlattices' emergence. In the current work, we demonstrate that properly designed molecular systems could generate a spectrum of unconventional superlattices. Four categories of giant molecules are presented. We systematically explore the lattice-forming principles in unary and binary systems, unveiling how molecular stoichiometry, topology, and size differences impact the mesoatoms and further toward their superlattices. The presence of novel superlattices helps to correlate with Frank-Kasper phases previously discovered in soft matter. We envision the present work offers new insights about how complex superlattices could be rationally fabricated by scalable-preparation and easy-to-process materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yun Yan
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China.,Department of Polymer Science, School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, United States
| | - Qing-Yun Guo
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China.,Department of Polymer Science, School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, United States
| | - Xian-You Liu
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Yicong Wang
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Jing Wang
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Zebin Su
- Department of Polymer Science, School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, United States
| | - Jiahao Huang
- Department of Polymer Science, School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, United States
| | - Fenggang Bian
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201204, China
| | - Haixin Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.,Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Mingjun Huang
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Zhiwei Lin
- Department of Polymer Science, School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, United States
| | - Tong Liu
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China.,Department of Polymer Science, School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, United States
| | - Yuchu Liu
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China.,Department of Polymer Science, School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, United States
| | - Stephen Z D Cheng
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China.,Department of Polymer Science, School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, United States
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6
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Yang SG, Wei ZZ, Cseh L, Kazemi P, Zeng XB, Xie HJ, Saba H, Ungar G. Bowls, vases and goblets-the microcrockery of polymer and nanocomposite morphology revealed by two-photon optical tomography. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5054. [PMID: 34417451 PMCID: PMC8379155 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25297-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
On the >1 µm scale the morphology of semicrystalline plastics like polyethylene or Nylon features spherulites, "shish-kebabs", cylinddrites and other crystalline aggregates which strongly affect mechanical and other material properties. Current imaging techniques give only a 2D picture of these objects. Here we show how they can be visualized in 3D using fluorescent labels and confocal microscopy. As a result, we see spherulites in 3D, both in neat polymers and their nanocomposites, and observe how unevenly nanoparticles and other additives are distributed in the material. Images of i-polypropylene and biodegradable poly(lactic acid) reveal previously unsuspected morphologies such as "vases" and "goblets", nonspherical "spherulites" and, unexpectedly, "shish-kebabs" grown from quiescent melt. Also surprisingly, in nanocomposite sheets spherulite nucleation is seen to be copied from one surface to another, mediated by crystallization-induced pressure drop and local melt-flow. These first results reveal unfamiliar modes of self-assembly in familiar plastics and open fresh perspectives on polymer microstructure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Gui Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behaviour of Materials, Shaanxi International Research Centre for Soft Matter, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Zhen-Zhen Wei
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Liliana Cseh
- Romanian Academy, Coriolan Dragulescu Institute of Chemistry, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Pantea Kazemi
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Xiang-Bing Zeng
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Hui-Jie Xie
- Department of Physics, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hina Saba
- Department of Physics, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Goran Ungar
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behaviour of Materials, Shaanxi International Research Centre for Soft Matter, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
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7
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Lindsay AP, Jayaraman A, Peterson AJ, Mueller AJ, Weigand S, Almdal K, Mahanthappa MK, Lodge TP, Bates FS. Reevaluation of Poly(ethylene- alt-propylene)- block-Polydimethylsiloxane Phase Behavior Uncovers Topological Close-Packing and Epitaxial Quasicrystal Growth. ACS NANO 2021; 15:9453-9468. [PMID: 33886269 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c02420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Reanalysis of an asymmetric poly(ethylene-alt-propylene)-block-polydimethylsiloxane (PEP-PDMS) diblock copolymer first investigated in 1999 has revealed a rich phase behavior including a dodecagonal quasicrystal (DDQC), a Frank-Kasper σ phase, and a body-centered cubic (BCC) packing at high temperature adjacent to the disordered state. On subjecting the sample to large amplitude oscillatory shear well below the σ-BCC order-order transition temperature (TOOT), small-angle X-ray scattering evidenced the emergence of a twinned BCC phase that, on heating, underwent a phase transition to an unusually anisotropic DDQC state. Surprisingly, we observe no evidence of this apparent epitaxy on heating or cooling through the equilibrium σ-BCC transition. We rationalize these results in terms of a shear-induced order-order transition and an apparent BCC-DDQC epitaxy favored by micelle translation-mediated ordering dynamics far below TOOT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron P Lindsay
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Ashish Jayaraman
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Austin J Peterson
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Andreas J Mueller
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Steven Weigand
- DND-CAT Synchrotron Research Center, Northwestern University, APS/ANL Building 432-A004, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Kristoffer Almdal
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 207, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Mahesh K Mahanthappa
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Timothy P Lodge
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Frank S Bates
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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8
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Chen K, Hu X, Zhu N, Guo K. Design, Synthesis, and Self-Assembly of Janus Bottlebrush Polymers. Macromol Rapid Commun 2020; 41:e2000357. [PMID: 32844547 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202000357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Janus bottlebrush polymers are a class of special molecular brushes, which have two immiscible side chains on the repeating unit of the backbone. The characteristic architectures of Janus bottlebrush polymers enable unique self-assembly properties and broad applications. Recently, remarkable advances of Janus bottlebrush polymers have been achieved for polymer chemistry and material science. This review summarizes the synthetic strategies of Janus bottlebrush polymers, and highlights the self-assembly applications. Finally, the challenges and opportunities are proposed for the further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerui Chen
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30 S. Puzhu Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211800, China.,State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30 S. Puzhu Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211800, China
| | - Xin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30 S. Puzhu Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211800, China.,College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30 S. Puzhu Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211800, China
| | - Ning Zhu
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30 S. Puzhu Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211800, China.,State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30 S. Puzhu Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211800, China
| | - Kai Guo
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30 S. Puzhu Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211800, China.,State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30 S. Puzhu Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211800, China
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