Photocontrol over the disorder-to-order transition in thin films of polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) block copolymers containing photodimerizable anthracene functionality

Reversible photocontrol over the ordering transition of block copolymers (BCPs) from a disordered state to an ordered state, namely the disorder-to-order transition (DOT), can be used to create long-range ordered nanostructures in self-assembled BCPs over macroscopic distances by photocombing, similar to the classic zone refining used to produce highly pure, large single crystals. Here, we have designed and synthesized an anthracene-functionalized tri-BCP containing deuterated polystyrene (d(8)-PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) blocks, as well as a short middle block of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylates) (PHEMA) that is randomly functionalized by anthracene. This tri-BCP maintains the order-to-disorder transition-type phase behavior of its parent d(8)-PS-b-PMMA di-BCPs. Under 365 nm UV irradiation, the junction between d(8)-PS and PMMA blocks is photocoupled through the anthracene photodimers, leading to a significant increase in the total molecular weight of the tri-BCP. As a consequence, when the tri-BCP is phase-mixed but close to the boundary of the ordering transition, it undergoes the DOT, as evidenced by small-angle neutron scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The tri-BCP could be reversibly brought through the DOT in thin films by taking advantage of photodimerization and thermal dissociation of anthracene. Currently, anthracene-functionalized d(8)-PS-b-PMMA BCP is one of the most promising candidates for the photocombing process to promote long-range laterally ordered nanostructures over macroscopic distances in a noninvasive manner.