Multitechnique characterization of thin films of immiscible polymer systems: PS–b‐PMMA diblock copolymers and PS–PMMA symmetric blends

Immiscible polymer systems are known to form various kinds of phase‐separated structures capable of producing self‐assembled patterns at the surface. In this study, different surface characterization methods were utilized to study the surface morphology and composition produced after annealing thin polymer films. Two different SIMS techniques—static time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) and dynamic nano‐SIMS—were used, complemented by x‐ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Thin films (spin‐coated onto silicon wafers) of polystyrene (PS)–poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) symmetric blends and diblock copolymers of similar molecular weight were investigated. Surface enrichment by PS was found on all as‐cast samples. The samples were annealed at 160 °C for different time periods, after which the blend and the copolymer films exhibited opposite behaviour as seen by ToF‐SIMS and XPS. The annealed blend surface presented an increase in the PMMA concentration whereas that of copolymers showed a decrease in PMMA concentration compared with the as‐cast sample. For blends, the nano‐SIMS as well as AFM images revealed the formation of phase‐separated domains at the surface. The composition information obtained from ToF‐SIMS and XPS, as well as the surface mapping by nano‐SIMS and AFM, allowed us to conclude that PS formed phase separated droplet‐like domains on a thin PMMA matrix on annealing. The three‐dimensional nano‐SIMS images showed that the PS droplets were supported inside a rim of PMMA and that these droplets continued from the surface like columnar rods into the film until the substrate interface. In the case of annealed copolymer samples, the AFM images revealed topographical features resembling droplet‐like domains on the surface but there was no phase difference between the domains and the matrix. In the case of copolymers, owing to the covalent bonding between the blocks, complete phase separation was not possible. The three‐dimensional nano‐SIMS images showed domain structures in the form of striations inside the film, which were not continuous until the substrate interface. Information from the different techniques was required to gain an accurate view of the surface composition and topographical changes that have occurred under the annealing conditions. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mechanical characterization of polymeric thin films by atomic force microscopy based techniques

Polymeric thin films have been awakening continuous and growing interest for application in nanotechnology. For such applications, the assessment of their (nano)mechanical properties is a key issue, since they may dramatically vary between the bulk and the thin film state, even for the same polymer. Therefore, techniques are required for the in situ characterization of mechanical properties of thin films that must be nondestructive or only minimally destructive. Also, they must also be able to probe nanometer-thick ultrathin films and layers and capable of imaging the mechanical properties of the sample with nanometer lateral resolution, since, for instance, at these scales blends or copolymers are not uniform, their phases being separated. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been proposed as a tool for the development of a number of techniques that match such requirements. In this review, we describe the state of the art of the main AFM-based methods for qualitative and quantitative single-point measurements and imaging of mechanical properties of polymeric thin films, illustrating their specific merits and limitations.     

Surface aggregation structure and surface mechanical properties of binary polymer blend thin films

During preparation of very thin polymer belnd films from a solution of polymers, the phase‐separated structures which are quite different from that observed for the bulk blend film was observed. From atomic force microscopic(AFM) observation, it is concluded that the surface undulation, which reflects the phase separated morphology of the blend system, is present. In the case of (polystyrene(PS)/poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA)) blend system, a large influence of end‐group chemistry on the surface morphology was observed. The phase identification of the (rubbery polymer/glassy polymer) binary blend thin films was successfully achieved by scanning vioscoelasticity microsopy(SVM).     

Polymer gel electrolytes based on oligomeric polyether/cross-linked PMMA blends prepared via in situ polymerization

Very-low-vapor-pressure oligomeric polyether electrolytes blended with and dimensionally stabilized by cross-linked poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) are prepared via in situ polymerization. The synthesized polymer gel electrolytes (PGEs) are freestanding films with excellent dimensional stability, mechanical integrity and strength. They exhibit high ionic conductivity at room temperature reaching 4.3 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm for the highest conducting sample and exceptional thermal stability. The oligomeric polyether and PMMA appear to have molecular level interaction in the blends and the PGEs remain a single phase from at least −50 to 200 °C, potentially enabling their application in advanced batteries in wide temperature ranges. The novel in situ polymerization process allows precise control of the composition of the PGEs and can enable in situ fabrication of advanced cells.     

玻璃基板作用下高分子共混物薄膜相形态发展过程

研究了玻璃基板作用下极性高聚物为低组分的共混物薄膜在退火条件下相形态的发展过程 .选用聚苯乙烯 (PS) 聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯 (PMMA)与聚苯乙烯 (PS) 聚ε 己内酯 (PCL)两个体系 ,在玻璃基板上Spin Coating成膜后退火 .由于共混物薄膜中极性相对较大的高聚物组分 (PMMA和PCL)相对于极性较小的PS组分对玻璃基板具有更好的润湿性 ,所以在上述的两个共混薄膜体系中其相形态分别显示PMMA和PCL在低组分比例下最终发展成为连续相 .利用扫描电镜以及元素分析很好地验证了以上的结论 ,并且对其机理进行了解释 .此外 ,改变PS的分子量与PCL共混 ,研究了组分粘度对薄膜相形态发展的影响 .结果表明 ,PS组分粘度越大 ,共混物薄膜相结构发展速度越慢     

原子力显微镜研究高分子超薄膜结晶机理及功能化调控

近十年来,随着功能高分子单晶(含单层或寡层片晶)工程及应用研究的不断深入,除了纳米尺度结晶形貌的表征以外,多功能原子力显微镜还被用于研究分子结构、结晶条件和后处理条件对功能高分子晶体性能(电、热、光、磁等)的影响,进一步还可采用扫描探针加工技术(机械刻蚀、电致刻蚀和热致刻蚀等)对其性能进行调控以构筑功能化聚集态结构和微图案.另一方面,超薄膜中单层或寡层片晶可为研究高分子结晶提供合适的模型体系,与原子力显微镜相结合,不但可以原位、实空间、高分辨地研究高分子的成核与生长过程(生长形态演变和生长动力学),还可以用于研究亚稳态折叠链片晶厚度和形态随热处理温度与时间的演化,从而加深对片晶内有序差异、片晶增厚与熔融行为和自诱导成核的认识.     

Depth profiling of modified PVC surfaces using confocal Raman microspectroscopy

Depth profiles of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) films chemically modified in solvent/non‐solvent mixtures were obtained using confocal Raman microscopy (CRM). The non‐destructive technique allows the characterization of interphases of up to 50 microns in thickness with a resolution of 1.4 μm. The accuracy of CRM is demonstrated by comparison of mean degrees of modification calculated from depth profiles and values obtained by transmission FTIR spectroscopy.     

Phase separation of polymer‐functionalized SWNTs within a PMMA/polystyrene blend

Phase separation of polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) blends was used as a means to segregate PS‐ or PMMA‐functionalized single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in thin films. Dilute solutions (5 wt % in THF) of 1:1 PS/PMMA blends containing the functionalized nanotubes were spin cast and annealed at 180 °C for 12 h. Two different polymer molecular weights were used (M_n = 8000 or M_n = 22,000), and were of approximately equivalent molecular weight to those attached to the surface of the nanotubes. Nanotube functionalization was accomplished using the Cu(I)‐catalyzed [3 + 2] Huisgen cycloaddition, in which alkyne‐decorated nanotubes were coupled with azide‐terminated polymers, resulting in polymer‐SWNT conjugates that were soluble in THF. Characterization of the annealed films by scanning Raman spectroscopy, which utilized the unique Raman fingerprint of carbon nanotubes, enabled accurate mapping of the functionalized SWNTs within the films relative to the two phase‐separated polymers. It was found that nanotube localization within the phase‐separated polymer films was influenced by the type of polymer attached to the nanotube surface, as well as its molecular weight. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 450–458, 2009     

Surface characterizations of spin-coated films of ethylcellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose blends

Films of pure ethylcellulose (EC) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) polymers and EC/HPMC blends were prepared from solutions by spin coating where isopropyl alcohol (IPA), water, and IPA/water cosolvent were used as solvents. Surface structures of the films were investigated using optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Raman mapping and spectroscopy. For the films prepared from EC/HPMC blend solutions using the IPA/water cosolvent, different domain structures such as islands or pits and phase separation between EC and HPMC were observed by optical microscopy and AFM. The nature of the polymer components on the surface of the films was identified by Raman mapping and spectroscopy. Experimental results also indicated that polymer composition, solvent, and temperature during spin coating had significant impacts on surface structures of the films.     

Morphology and oxygen sensor response of luminescent Ir-labeled poly(dimethylsiloxane)/polystyrene polymer blend films

Polymer films consisting of a linear poly(dimethylsiloxane) end-functionalized with a luminescent Ir(III) complex (Ir-PDMS), blended with polystyrene (PS), function as optical oxygen sensors. The sensor response arises by quenching of the luminescence from the Ir(III) chromophore by oxygen that permeates into the polymer film. The morphology and luminescence oxygen sensor properties of blend films consisting of Ir-PDMS and PS have been characterized by fluorescence microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The investigations demonstrate that microscale phase segregation occurs in the films. In blends that contain a relatively small amount of Ir-PDMS in PS (ca. 10 wt %), the Ir-PDMS exists as circular domains, with diameters ranging from 2 to 5 mum, surrounded by the majority PS phase. For larger weight fractions of Ir-PDMS in the blends, the film morphology becomes bicontinuous. A novel epifluorescence microscopy method is applied that allows the construction of Stern-Volmer quenching images that quantify the oxygen sensor response of the blend films with micrometer spatial resolution. These images provide a map of the oxygen permeability of the polymer blend films with a spatial resolution of ca. 1 mum. The results of this investigation show that the micrometer-sized Ir-PMDS domains display a 2-3-fold higher oxygen sensor response compared to the surrounding PS matrix. This result is consistent with the fact that PDMS is considerably more gas permeable compared to PS. The relationship of the microscale morphology of the blends to their performance as macroscale optical oxygen sensors is discussed.     

Nanostructure formation in polymer thin films influenced by humidity

The influence of relative humidity (RH) during the film preparation on the surface morphology and on the material distribution of the resulting technical polymer blend films consisting of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly (vinyl butyral) (PVB) is investigated by atomic force microscopy. Both pure polymers and polymer blends with different compositions of PVB/PMMA dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (THF) were used. Polymer films prepared under dry conditions (RH < 20%) are compared with those that have the same polymer composition but were prepared under increased humidity conditions (RH > 80%). The films consisting of the pure polymers showed a nonporous surface morphology for low‐humidity preparation conditions, whereas high‐humidity preparation conditions lead to porous PVB and PMMA films, respectively. These pores are explained as the result of a breath figure formation. In the case of the polymer blend films containing both polymers, porous or phase‐separated surface structures were observed even at low‐humidity conditions. A superposition of the effects of phase separation and breath figure formation is observed in the case of polymer blend films prepared under high‐humidity conditions. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images taken before and after the treatment with ethanol as a selective solvent for PVB indicate that PMMA is deposited on top of a PVB layer in the case of the low‐humidity preparation process whereas for high‐humidity conditions the silicon substrate is covered with a PMMA film. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Multiple glass-transition temperatures in thin supported films of isotactic PMMA as revealed by enhanced Raman scattering

The glass-transition temperature, Tg, of isotactic PMMA thin films has been measured for four thicknesses by enhanced Raman spectroscopy and ellipsometry. This was made possible by inserting a silica spacer layer between the film and the substrate. The use of such a spacer drastically improves the sensitivity of Raman scattering measurements. The improvement in the sensitivity allows us to study phenomena involving changes in molecular dynamics, such as the phase transition, and to probe the existence in very thin films of several thickness-dependent transition temperatures, Tg(h). This in turn is interpreted as the occurrence in the film of a layered structure. The influence of the polymer concentration on the conformation of the surface adsorbed polymer layer and therefore on Tg(h) is discussed.     

聚ε-己内酯/聚氯乙烯球晶表面的XPS研究

聚合物薄膜在微电子领域中的应用日益增加.聚ε-己内酯/聚氯乙烯（PCL/PVC）是研究得最广泛的聚合物共混薄膜之一.PCL与PVC以一定比例混合时,可以形成环带球晶；同时,体系分为结晶PCL相及PCL/PVC非晶混溶相.用XPS和成象XPS分析技术,对PCL/PVC膜的表面化学组成和元素分布情况进行了研究.观察到PCL在薄膜表面富集.此外,成象XPS表明,PVC在球晶边界处富集,且球晶边界宽度约15 μm.     

PS/PMMA mixed polymer brushes on the surface of clay layers: Preparation and application in polymer blends

Polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) mixed polymer brushes on the surface of clay layers were prepared by using in situ free radical polymerization. Free radical initiator molecules with two quaternary ammonium groups at both ends were intercalated into the interlayer spacing of clay layers. The amount of polymer brushes grafted on the surface of clay layers can be controlled by controlling the polymerization time. Thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, and high‐resolution transmission electron microscope results indicated successful preparation of the mixed polymer brushes on the surface of clay layers. The kinetics of the grafting of the monomers was also studied. The mixed polymer brushes on the surface of clay layers were used as compatibilizers in blends of PS and PMMA. In the blends, the intercalated clay particles tend to locate at the interface of two phases reducing the interfacial tension. In the meanwhile, PMMA homopolymer chains tend to intercalate into clay layers. The driving force for the intercalation is the compatibility between homo‐PMMA chains and PMMA brushes on the surface of clay layers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5329–5338, 2007     

Structure evolution in layers of polymer blend nanoparticles

The early stages of phase evolution, not available for nanometer polymer blend films spin-cast from solutions of incompatible mixtures, have been examined for films prepared from nanoparticles of deuterated polystyrene/ poly(methyl methacrylate) blends (1:1 mass fraction of dPS/PMMA) with PS-PMMA diblock copolymer additives. The initial phase arrangement, confined to the size of nanoparticles, has provided the homogeneity of the initial film composition. The early stages of structure formation, promoted by annealing and traced with atomic and lateral force microscopy (AFM, LFM) as well as secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS), resulted in bilayers, observed commonly for as-prepared solvent-cast blends. The initiated capillary instability of the upper dPS-rich layer depended on copolymer additives, which enhanced the lateral structures pinning the dewetting process.     

Microstructure of miscible polymer blends

The purpose of this work is to describe the application of new electron microscopy techniques to the study of polymer blends with very fine dispersion of phases (miscible blends). Blends of PVC with PMMA, PCL, POM and SAN were prepared by high temperature mixing on a two roll mill, or by solvent casting. Thin sections (or cast films) were investigated in the scanning transmission electron microscope and small phases were identified in most blends. The contrast was enhanced by electronic combination of bright and dark field signals, by an irradiation and staining technique and by differential mass loss. The specimens were further characterized by measurement of mass loss, resulting from electron beam damage. The non linear changes in the mass loss rate with concentration were interpreted as being influenced by partial solubility and molecular interactions.     

Correlating polymer structure,dynamics, and function with atomic force microscopy

Since its development, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has become an indispensable tool for investigating fundamental and technological applications of polymer materials. The versatility of AFM imaging modes and operating conditions allows for nanoscale characterization of a range of dynamic processes, such as crystallization, phase separation, self assembly, and electronic transport. Advances in AFM technology, particularly high-speed and high-resolution imaging, enable investigation of polymer structure, function, and dynamics in real world conditions and across a range of relevant spatial and temporal scales. In this perspective, we highlight a collection of recent polymer studies that utilize AFM to correlate the function and structure of polymer films, with focus on its multiparametric imaging capabilities. As the complexity of polymer materials and morphologies continues to increase, AFM is well poised to meet the accompanying demand for nanoscale imaging and characterization.     

Electrochemistry of tetracyanoquinodimethane polyer-modified electrodes: Effect of polymer film composition on site-site interactions

Charge transport through polymer films containing the tetracyanoquinodimethane (tcnq) structure in the polymer chain and swollen with acetonitrile solvent has been studied as a function of film composition. Variation of the film composition was achieved by synthesis of a tcnq terpolymer and by casting blended films of the tcnq polyester and an isomorphic polyester containing a benzene ring in place of the tcnq structure. Formation of uniform blends at room temperature and below was indicated for the neutral polymers, but phase separation takes place on repeated cycling of the films between the 0 and −1 oxidation states. Redox center site-site interactions were probed by following dimer formation of the tcnq^.− radical anion and by the charge transport process as measured by chronocoulometric Cottrell slopes. ESR and cyclic voltammetric data indicate that interchain, and not interchain, interactions occur in the reduced films.     

Characterization and modification of polymer blend films

Films of immiscible blends of (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were characterized by contact-angle measurements with sessile drop and atomic force microscopy (AFM). These blends showed a linear dependence of the contact angles on the composition, as predicted by Cassie's equation for ideal surfaces. The surface structure investigated by AFM showed low roughness and phase-separation features. The ratio between the drop radius and the roughness amounted to the order of 10⁴–10⁵. This magnitude seemed to be sufficient to put the PS/PMMA films close to ideality. Upon sulfonation, the wettability and the microscopic surface roughness of the PS/PMMA blends increased. The treatment with sulfuric acid yielded sulfonated PS domains on the surface, causing an increase in the surface wettability. The SO₃ ⁻ groups were evidenced by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The sulfonation of the PS/PMMA blends enables the formation of multiphase surfaces with hydrophobic, charged and polar domains. Received: 11 December 2000 Accepted: 6 April 2001     

Blends of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and intermediate molar mass polystyrene as Langmuir films at the air/water interface

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone)/polystyrene (PCL/PS) blends, where nonamphiphilic PS is glassy in the bulk state at the experimental temperature of 22.5 degrees C, are immiscible as Langmuir films at the air/water (A/W) interface. Surface pressure-area per monomer isotherm analyses indicate that the surface concentration of amphiphilic PCL is the only factor influencing the surface pressure below the collapse transition. For PS-rich blends, Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) studies at the A/W interface and atomic force microscopy studies on Langmuir-Schaefer films reveal that PS nanoparticle aggregates formed at very low surface pressures can form networks upon further compression. The morphologies seen in PS-rich blends (networklike rings) are consistent with a recent study of a nonamphiphilic polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS), octaisobutyl-POSS, blended with amphiphilic poly(dimethylsiloxane), suggesting that the nonamphiphilic PS aggregates at the A/W interface produce domains with dipole densities that differ from that of pure PCL. In all composition regimes, the amphiphilic PCL phase tends to spread and form a continuous surface layer at the A/W interface, while simultaneously improving the dispersion of nonamphiphilic PS domains. During film expansion, BAM images show a gradual change in the surface morphology from highly continuous networklike structures (PS-rich blends) to broken ringlike structures (intermediate composition) to small discontinuous aggregates (PCL-rich blends). This study provides valuable information on the morphological evolution of semicrystalline PCL-based polymer blends confined in a "two-dimensional" geometry at the A/W interface and fundamental insight into the influence of microstructure (domain size, phase-separated structures, crystalline morphology, etc.) on the interfacial properties of blends as Langmuir films.