Two-dimensional bicontinuous structures from symmetric surface-directed spinodal decomposition in thin films
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Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Fabricating Reactive Surfaces with Brush-like and Crosslinked Films of Azlactone-Functionalized Block Co-Polymers
Published on: June 30, 2018
Michael B Wise1, Paul C Millett1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, USA.
Abstract:
We present numerical simulations of symmetric surface-directed spinodal decomposition in thin films with varying film thickness and film composition. The simulations utilize a Cahn-Hilliard model to describe phase separation kinetics in confined film geometries. The systems consist of two phases: a wetting phase that completely wets the top and bottom surfaces, and a nonwetting phase. Three distinct morphologies emerge including a discrete nonwetting morphology, a discrete wetting morphology, as well as a unique two-dimensional bicontinuous morphology that forms for specific values of film thickness and composition. The morphologies are analyzed with a Hoshen-Kopelman algorithm to quantify the degree of continuity of the nonwetting phase, and a morphology map is presented to guide future work.
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