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Towards nanoporous membranes based on ABC triblock terpolymers.
Alexandra Sperschneider1, Felix Schacher, Marcel Gawenda
1Physikalische Chemie II, Universität Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|April 24, 2007
Summary
Researchers studied nanostructures in polybutadiene-block-poly(2-vinyl pyridine)-block-poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) (BVT) and polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinyl pyridine)-block-poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) (SVT) thin films. Different terpolymer compositions led to distinct nanostructures, with BVT films showing potential for composite membranes.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Block copolymers self-assemble into ordered nanostructures.
- These nanostructures in thin films have applications in lithography and membranes.
- Structurally analogous triblock terpolymers offer tunable properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the nanostructures formed in thin films of BVT and SVT terpolymers.
- To compare the morphological behavior of BVT and SVT films.
- To explore the potential of BVT films for composite membrane fabrication.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of BVT and SVT triblock terpolymers via sequential living anionic polymerization.
- Preparation of thin films from the synthesized terpolymers.
- Morphological characterization using scanning force microscopy and electron microscopy.
- Annealing of the polymer films to induce self-assembly.
Main Results:
- SVT films formed an ordered perforated lamella phase.
- BVT films exhibited hexagonally packed core/shell cylinders.
- The distinct nanostructures are attributed to differences in terpolymer composition.
- BVT films demonstrated potential for creating composite membranes on porous supports.
Conclusions:
- Terpolymer composition critically influences the self-assembled nanostructure in thin films.
- BVT terpolymers are promising for developing advanced composite membranes.
- The study provides insights into structure-property relationships in block copolymers.
