A Strategy for Enhancing Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Block Copolymer Chain Mobility to Access Large Period Sizes (> 100 nm)
Résumé
Assembling ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) block copolymers (BCPs) in rapid timescales is perceived as a grand challenge in polymer science due to slow kinetics. Through surface engineering and identifying a non-volatile solvent (propylene glycol methyl ether acetate, PGMEA) we showcase the impressive ability of a series of lamellar poly(styrene)-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) BCPs to self-assemble directly after spin-coating. In particular, we show the formation of large period (≈ 111 nm) lamellar structures from a neat UHMW PS-b-P2VP BCP. The significant influence of solvent-polymer solubility parameters are explored to enhance polymer chain mobility. After optimization using solvent vapor annealing, increased feature order of ultra large period PS-b-P2VP BCP patterns in 1 hr is achieved. The methods described in this article center on industry compatible patterning schemes, solvents and deposition techniques. Isolated metallic and dielectric features are also demonstrated exemplifying the promise that large BCP periods offer for functional applications. Thus, our straightforward UHMW BCP strategy potentially paves a viable and practical path forward for large-scale integration in various sectors, e.g. photonic band gaps, polarizers, and membranes that demand ultra large period sizes.
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Cummins-et-al_acs-langmuir-2020-13872_Ultrahigh-Mw-BCP-large-period-size_final.pdf (2.19 Mo)
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