Coarse graining in block copolymer films

We present few ordering mechanisms in block copolymer melts in the coarse-graining approach. For chemically homogeneous or modulated confining surfaces, the surface ordering is investigated above and below the order–disorder temperature. In some cases, the copolymer deformation near the surface is similar to the copolymer morphology in bulk grain boundaries. Block copolymers in contact with rough surfaces are considered as well, and the transition from lamellae parallel to perpendicular to the surface is investigated as a function of surface roughness. Finally, we describe how external electric fields can be used to align block copolymer mesophases in a desired direction, or to induce an order–order phase transition, and dwell on the role of mobile dissociated ions on the transition. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 2725–2739, 2006