Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026

Using Polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid)-coated Metal Nanoparticles as Monomers for Their Homo- and Co-polymerization
Published on: July 9, 2015
The sensitivity of random polymer brush-lamellar polystyrene-b-polymethylmethacrylate block copolymer systems to
Dipu Borah1, Sozaraj Rasappa, Ramsankar Senthamaraikannan
1Materials Chemistry Section, Department of Chemistry, University College Cork, College Road, Cork, Ireland. d.borah@ucc.ie
Abstract:
The use of random copolymer brushes (polystyrene-r-polymethylmethacrylate--PS-r-PMMA) to 'neutralise' substrate surfaces and ordain perpendicular orientation of the microphase separated lamellae in symmetric polystyrene-b-polymethylmethacrylate (PS-b-PMMA) block copolymers (BCPs) is well known. However, less well known is how the brushes interact with both the substrate and the BCP, and how this might change during thermal processing. A detailed study of changes in these films for different brush and diblock PS-b-PMMA molecular weights is reported here. In general, self-assembly and pattern formation is altered little, and a range of brush molecular weights are seen to be effective. However, on extended anneal times, the microphase separated films can undergo dimension changes and loss of order. This process is not related to any complex microphase separation dynamics but rather a degradation of methacrylate components in the film. The data suggest that care must be taken in interpretation of structural changes in these systems as being due to BCP only effects.
Related Concept Videos
Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity
Polymer Classification: Architecture
Determination of Molar Masses of Polymers I
Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers
Classification and Mechanical Properties of Synthetic Polymers
Polymer Classification: Crystallinity
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...

