Controlling Orientation and Functionalization in Thin Films of Block Copolymers

Functionalizing and controlling nanostructures resulting from block copolymer self‐assembly are key factors in defining their application. In this work, a simple but quite general route to achieve both goals simultaneously is discussed. In thin films of polystyrene‐block‐poly(vinyl pyridine) (PS‐b‐PVP) with small concentrations of a gold salt, the salt is found to complex with the PVP block which leads to an orientation of the microdomains normal to the surface after solvent annealing together with functionalization. By increasing the amount of gold salt, on the other hand, micelles are found to form in solutions leading to a range of different morphologies in the thin films.

     

Complex Macrophase‐Separated Nanostructure Induced by Microphase Separation in Binary Blends of Lamellar Diblock Copolymer Thin Films

The nanostructures of thin films spin‐coated from binary blends of compositionally symmetric polystyrene‐b‐polybutadiene (PS‐b‐PB) diblock copolymer having different molar masses are investigated by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and grazing‐incidence small‐angle X‐ray scattering (GISAXS) after spin‐coating and after subsequent solvent vapor annealing (SVA). In thin films of the pure diblock copolymers having high or low molar mass, the lamellae are perpendicular or parallel to the substrate, respectively. The as‐prepared binary blend thin films feature mainly perpendicular lamellae in a one‐phase state, indicating that the higher molar mass diblock copolymer dominates the lamellar orientation. The lamellar thickness decreases linearly with increasing volume fraction of the low molar mass diblock copolymer. After SVA, well‐defined macrophase‐separated nanostructures appear, which feature parallel lamellae near the film surface and perpendicular ones in the bulk.

     

Effect of the Molecular Weight of AB Diblock Copolymers on the Lamellar Orientation in Thin Films: Theory and Experiment

We propose a theoretical explanation of the parallel and perpendicular lamellar orientations in free surface films of symmetric polystyrene‐block‐polybutadiene diblock copolymers on silicon substrates (with a native SiO_x layer). Two approaches are developed: A correction to the strong segregation theory and a qualitative analysis of the intermediate segregation regime. We show that the perpendicular orientation of the lamellae formed by the molecules of high molecular weight is stabilized by A–B interfacial interactions. They are weaker in the case of the perpendicular orientation of the lamellae, whereas the surface tension coefficient of the A–B interface decreases with the increase of the molecular weight.

     

Stereocomplex Crystallization in Asymmetric Diblock Copolymers Studied by Dynamic Monte Carlo Simulations

Stereocomplex crystallization in asymmetric diblock copolymers was studied using dynamic Monte Carlo simulations, and the key factor dominating the formation of stereocomplex crystallites(SCs) was uncovered. The asymmetric diblock copolymers with higher degree of asymmetry exhibit larger difference between volume fractions of beads of different blocks, and local miscibility between different kinds of beads is lower, leading to lower SC content. To minimize the interference from volume fraction of beads, the SC formation in blends of asymmetric diblock copolymers was also studied. For the cases where the volume fractions of beads of different blocks are the same, similar local miscibility between beads of different blocks and similar SC content was observed. These findings indicate that the volume fraction of beads of different blocks is a key factor controlling the SC formation in the asymmetric diblock copolymers. The SC content can be regulated by adjusting the difference between the contents of beads of different blocks in asymmetric diblock copolymers.     

Nucleation and Crystallization of PLDA-b-PE and PLLA-b-PE Diblock Copolymers

The nucleation and crystallization of two types of strongly segregated poly(lactide)-block-polyethylene diblock copolymers with an approximate 50/50 composition has been investigated. One material contains an amorphous PLDA block (PLDA-b-PE) and the other contains a semicrystalline PLLA block (PLLA-b-PE). The overall isothermal crystallization rate of the PLLA block was slowed down as compared to homo-PLLA by the covalently bonded PE chains that were molten at the PLLA crystallization temperatures. This crystallization rate depression of the PLLA block produces a coincident crystallization process when PLLA-b-PE is cooled down from the melt at rates larger than 2 °C/min. The overall crystallization rate of the PE block is faster when it is covalently bonded to previously crystallized PLLA than when it is attached to a rubbery PDLA block, this results from a nucleation effect of PLLA on the PE block. Polarized Light Optical Microscopy (PLOM) confirmed the confined nature of the crystallization process within lamellar microdomains for both diblock copolymers, since neither PLLA nor PE are capable of breaking out and spherulites can not be formed.     

Solvent Induced Sphere Development in Symmetric Diblock Copolymer Thin Films

Summary: We follow the time development of the microdomain structure in symmetric polystyrene‐block‐poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS‐b‐PMMA) diblock copolymer thin films during acetone vapor treatment. Besides the highly ordered nanoscopic spheres or stripes as reported previously, a novel so‐called flower‐like pattern, which comprises six PS spheres and each PS sphere belongs to three “flowers” is formed. This finding is very helpful to discuss the highly ordered nanoscopic sphere formation process.

Transition from flower‐like structure to well‐ordered arrays of spheres, in which the flower‐like pattern, the transitional morphology, and the ordered spheres are in the portion A, B, and C, respectively.     

Regulation of Micellar Morphology of PCL‐b‐PEO Block Copolymers by Crystallization Temperature

The effect of crystallization temperature on the micellar morphology of PCL‐b‐PEO block copolymers in water has been studied. It is found that the micellar morphology of PCL_nPEO₄₄ and PCL_nPEO₁₁₃ changes with crystallization temperature in different ways because of two competitive factors: perfection of the PCL crystals in the core and deformation of the soluble PEO block. For PCL_nPEO₄₄, perfection of the PCL crystals dominates the micellar morphology and lamellar micelles are formed at a higher crystallization temperature. For PCL_nPEO₁₁₃ the micellar morphology is mainly determined by the tethering density and spherical micelles or cylindrical micelles with a larger length/diameter ratio are formed at a higher crystallization temperature because of the larger tethering density.

     

Crystallization and Physical Ageing of Poly (2-vinyl pyridine)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) Diblock Copolymers

Summary: A set of melt miscible Poly(2-vinyl pyridine)-b-Poly(ethylene oxide) (P2VP-b-PEO) block copolymers of different compositions were studied. Transmission electron microscopy shows phase separation in the materials during the crystallization process of the PEO block as crystalline lamellae are observed for all compositions evaluated. The isothermal crystallization kinetics of PEO is progressively retarded as the P2VP content in the copolymer increases, since P2VP hinders molecular mobility in the miscible amorphous phase. Polarized light optical microscopy demonstrated that the glassy P2VP block has a negative effect on the secondary nucleation of the PEO. Finally, physical ageing experiments performed in the glassy state of the amorphous mixed phase, at different ageing times, demonstrated that a nucleating effect can be induced in the glassy state as a consequence of the reorganization of the amorphous regions. This nucleating effect significantly alters the cold crystallization rate upon subsequent heating above the glass transition temperature.     

Development of Nanodomain and Fractal Morphologies in Solvent Annealed Block Copolymer Thin Films

We have systematically studied the thin film morphologies of asymmetric polystyrene‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide) (PS‐b‐PEO) diblock copolymer subjected to solvent vapors of varying selectivity for the constituent blocks. Upon a short treatment in neutral or PS‐selective vapor, the film exhibited a highly ordered array of hexagonally packed, cylindrical microdomains. In the case of PEO selective vapor annealing, such ordered cylindrical microdomains were not obtained. Instead, fractal patterns on the microscale were observed and their growth processes investigated. Furthermore, hierarchical structures could be obtained if the fractal pattern was exposed to neutral or PS selective vapor.

     

Polymer Melt Intercalation in Clay Modified by Diblock Copolymers

Summary: The thermodynamic equilibrium in a melt of homopolymer C mixed with clay modified by a diblock copolymer AB is considered in theory. It is assumed that mixing is carried out in two stages. At first, the diblock copolymer penetrates into the interlayers formed by long clay sheets. Then, the clay with adsorbed diblock copolymer chains is added to the homopolymer melt. It is shown that the first process is thermodynamically favorable only if the interlayer width exceeds some threshold value that depends mostly on the difference in the adsorption energy of units A and B. A spontaneous mixing at the second stage is possible only if the enthalpic interactions between homopolymer and copolymer units are not very unfavorable. If so, the formation of an intercalated state is expected for a homopolymer of length comparable to the copolymer length, while for a long homopolymer the anticipated equilibrium state is exfoliation. The spatial distribution of A, B, and C units across the interlayer has been studied for different parameters of the system. The most readily adsorbing units A occupy almost all clay surface. However, the layer of block A is considerably swelled by both B and C units. The mutual distribution of units B and C may vary from almost homogeneous to having rather sharp boundary depending on the value of the Flory‐Huggins parameter χ_BC. The formation of a pure homopolymer layer at the center of the interlayer indicates about a tendency to exfoliate.

Interlayer profiles of the fractions of units A, B, and C, respectively.     

Mesoscopic Simulations of Lamellar Orientation in Block Copolymers

Mesoscopic simulation techniques are employed to investigate lamellar orientation in block copolymers subjected to oscillatory shear. Dynamic mean‐field density functional theory (MesoDyn) is able to capture parallel lamellar and perpendicular lamellar states at low and higher shear rates. At higher shear rates a third orientation state is identified from cell dynamics and MesoDyn simulations, and corresponds to predominantly parallel‐aligned lamellae. This is explained on the basis of partial shear‐melting at higher shear rates. The results are compared to the lamellar alignment diagram obtained experimentally for polystyrene/polyisoprene block copolymers.     

Toroidal Micelles of Uniform Size from Diblock Copolymers

Uniform nanodonuts: Stable toroidal micelles that have a highly uniform size and shape spontaneously self‐assemble from a selective THF/ethanol solvent mixture (see 3D AFM image). The donut‐shaped micelles can be used as a template to grow gold nanoparticles, which form along the ring surface.

     

Nanoparticle‐Driven Orientation Transition and Soft‐Shear Alignment in Diblock Copolymer Films via Dynamic Thermal Gradient Field

Sharp dynamic thermal gradient (∇T ≈ 45 °C mm⁻¹) field‐driven assembly of cylinder‐forming block copolymer (c‐BCP) films filled with PS‐coated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs; d_NP ≈ 3.6 nm, φ_NP ≈ 0–0.1) is studied. The influence of increasing AuNP loading fraction on dispersion and assembly of AuNPs within c‐BCP (PS‐PMMA) films is investigated via both static and dynamic thermal gradient fields. With φ_NP increasing, a sharp transition from vertical to random in‐plane horizontal cylinder orientation is observed due to enrichment of AuNPs at the substrate side and favorable interaction of PMMA chains with gold cores. Furthermore, a detachable capping elastomer layer can self‐align these random oriented PMMA microdomains into unidirectional hybrid AuNP/c‐BCP nanolines, quantified with an alignment order parameter, S.

     

Synthesis of Continuous Mesoporous Alumina Films with Large‐Sized Cage‐Type Mesopores by Using Diblock Copolymers

Mesoporous alumina films with large‐sized cage‐type mesopores were prepared by using commercially available diblock copolymer (PS‐b‐PEO) and economic inorganic salt (AlCl₃) as aluminum source. The obtained mesopore sizes drastically expand from 35 nm to 80 nm when the amount of ethanol in the precursor solutions were controlled. More interestingly, under an optimized amount of ethanol as co‐solvent, there was no significant change of micelle morphology on the substrate, even though the relative amount of PS‐b‐PEO to alumina source was dramatically varied. When the amount of alumina precursor was decreased, the pore walls gradually became thinner, thereby improving pore connectivity. The ordered mesoporous alumina films obtained in this study exhibit high thermal stability up to 1000 °C, and their frameworks are successfully crystallized to γ‐alumina phase. This technique could also be applicable for creating other metal oxide thin films with large mesopores.     

聚乳酸-聚乙二醇嵌段共聚物晶行为研究

用1H NMR, SEC, XRD和DSC对聚乳酸(PLLA)-聚乙二醇(PEG)二嵌段共聚物进行了表征. 由于共聚物中两种组分比例的不同, 表现出某组分单独结晶或两种组分共同结晶. 用DSC和POM方法, 对两组分含量相当的共聚物进行了熔体结晶行为研究, 并采用Avrami方程进行了结晶动力学计算. 用Lauritzen-Hoffmann理论对PLLA-PEG结晶机理进行了分析. 在70~94 ℃范围内, 得到成核参数Kg(POM)=5.23×105 K2. 共聚物的Kg和链折叠自由能σe都比均聚物的文献报道值高, 表明PEG链段的存在影响了PLLA的结晶, 使得其成核较均聚物困难.     

受限薄膜中不对称两嵌段共聚高分子的微相形态

用强分凝理论方法研究了组分不对称(f≈0.25)的两嵌段共聚高分子在受限薄膜中的微相形态--层状相、平行柱状相和垂直柱状相.发现对中性基底,无论薄膜厚度为多少,垂直柱状相总是最稳定的相;而对亲少数相的基底,嵌段高分子的平均组成以及基底和两嵌段之间的相互作用能对薄膜体系的相行为有决定性影响.随着薄膜厚度的增加,层状相(包括奇数和偶数层数)、平行柱状相和垂直柱状相都有可能交替出现.     

Anisotropic Lithium Ion Conductivity in Single‐Ion Diblock Copolymer Electrolyte Thin Films

Well‐defined single‐ion diblock copolymers consisting of a Li‐ion conductive poly(styrenesulfonyllithium(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide) (PSLiTFSI) block associated with a glassy polystyrene (PS) block have been synthesized via reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. Conductivity anisotropy ratio up to 1000 has been achieved from PS‐b‐PSLiTFSI thin films by comparing Li‐ion conductivities of out‐of‐plane (aligned) and in‐plane (antialigned) cylinder morphologies at 40 °C. Blending of PS‐b‐PSLiTFSI thin films with poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer (hPEO) enables a substantial improvement of Li‐ion transport within aligned cylindrical domains, since hPEO, preferentially located in PSLiTFSI domains, is an excellent lithium‐solvating material. Results are also compared with unblended and blended PSLiTFSI homopolymer (hPSLiTFSI) homologues, which reveals that ionic conductivity is improved when thin films are nanostructured.

     

嵌段共聚物薄膜快速自组装方法

嵌段共聚物 (BCP) 薄膜可通过不同的退火方法诱导其微相分离,从而获得大面积圆柱状、层状和球状等纳米图案。这些长程有序的纳米结构形态,已经广泛应用在纳米光刻和电子器件等多个领域中。目前,有效且快速的退火方法仍然是BCP薄膜自组装技术中的研究热点。本文首先介绍了制备BCP薄膜纳米结构图案常用的退火技术,然后综述了三种新型快速退火技术,最后分析总结了这些退火技术的优缺点。