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Target patterns induced by fixed nanoparticles in block copolymer films.

Xiaohua Zhang1, Silvia H De Paoli Lacerda, Kevin G Yager

  • 1Polymers Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, USA. xiaohua.zhang@nist.gov

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Summary

Introducing nanoparticles into block copolymer (BCP) films induces novel wave-like patterns, offering insights into residual stresses during film processing. These "target" patterns form due to nanoparticle-induced stress and thermal treatment.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Science
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Thin films of cylinder-forming block copolymers (BCP) typically show orientation transitions (perpendicular to parallel cylinders) with film thickness.
  • Controlling morphology in BCP films is crucial for applications in nanotechnology and materials science.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the induction of novel wave-like morphologies in block copolymer films using nanoparticles.
  • To understand the role of residual stresses in pattern formation within these films.
  • To explore the generalizability of these phenomena in polymer films and their technological relevance.

Main Methods:

  • Flow-coating and annealing of block copolymer (BCP) films containing nanoparticles (NP).
  • Utilizing nanoparticles that span the film thickness and adsorb irreversibly to the substrate.
  • Thermal annealing of films near their glass transition temperature (Tg) to study stress relaxation.
  • Observation of undulating height patterns in both BCP and homopolymer films with nanoparticles.

Main Results:

  • Wave-like oscillations, termed "target" patterns, were induced in BCP films by nanoparticles spanning the film thickness.
  • These patterns were suppressed in films pre-annealed to relax residual stresses, supporting the stress hypothesis.
  • Similar undulating height patterns were observed in heated homopolymer films with nanoparticles, indicating a general phenomenon.
  • The findings suggest a link between residual stresses and wave-like pattern formation in heated heterogeneous polymer films.

Conclusions:

  • Nanoparticles can induce novel wave-like morphologies in block copolymer films through thermally induced residual stresses.
  • The observed
  • target
  • patterns provide a method to probe residual stresses in cast polymer films.
  • The phenomenon is general to heated heterogeneous polymer films and has implications for device fabrication using BCPs.