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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Science
  • Surface Chemistry

Background:

  • Spin-coated polymer nanocomposite (PNC) films are crucial in various applications.
  • Understanding microstructural evolution during film formation is essential for performance.
  • The Marangoni effect, driven by surface tension gradients, can significantly influence film morphology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate Marangoni effect-induced structural changes in polymer nanocomposite (PNC) films.
  • To analyze the role of solvent choice on film microstructure and nanoparticle distribution.
  • To explore methods for eliminating structural defects and enhancing film homogeneity.

Main Methods:

  • Spin-coating of PNC films using poly(methyl methacrylate)-grafted silica nanoparticles and poly(styrene-ran-acrylonitrile).
  • Characterization using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to study surface topography.
  • Analysis of nanoparticle distribution using Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS).
  • Thermal annealing studies to observe structural evolution.

Main Results:

  • Films cast from methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) exhibited hexagonal honeycomb structures with thickness gradients.
  • Atomic Force Microscopy revealed higher nanoparticle concentration at cell ridges and junctions.
  • Annealing led to nanoparticle surface segregation and transformation of protruded features into depressed channels.
  • Using methyl isoamyl ketone (MIAK) as a solvent resulted in homogeneous films without defects.

Conclusions:

  • The Marangoni effect significantly impacts the microstructure and surface properties of PNC films.
  • Solvent selection is critical for controlling film morphology and eliminating defects.
  • Findings provide insights for optimizing PNC film quality and performance through controlled microstructural engineering.