Microphase Separation of Block Copolymers Tethered to Spherical or Planar Surfaces
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Reading
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
We will investigate the microphase separation of tethered block copolymer brushes in thin films via a powerful combination of theory and experiment. The theoretical calculations will be used to predict nanoscale morphologies which will then be targeted for experimental investigation. The initial work will be on block copolymers on planar subtrates - a variety of interesting self-assembled nanostructures will be prepared and imaged via atomic force microscopy. X-ray scattering will be used to probe the ordering within the film. The next stage will be to perform theoretical predictions of structures formed by block copolymers on spherical particles. This will be used to motivate experiments using adsorbed block copolymer films on silica nanoparticles. Intricate novel morphologies are expected. These will be used to template the fabrication of hollow porous nanoparticles using a completely new approach, whereby the minority block copolymer domain and the nanoparticle are etched away. The porous nanoparticles could open up totally new applications in separation science, catalysis or nanoscale chemistry.
Organisations
Publications
Griffiths G
(2011)
Unit-Cell Approximation for Diblock-Copolymer Brushes Grafted to Spherical Particles
in Macromolecules
Kim J
(2009)
Droplets of structured fluid on a flat substrate
in Soft Matter
Matsen MW
(2009)
Melt brushes of diblock copolymer.
in The European physical journal. E, Soft matter
O'Driscoll B
(2010)
Lateral Phase Separation in Grafted Diblock Copolymer Films
in Macromolecules
O'Driscoll B
(2011)
Structure Variation and Evolution in Microphase-Separated Grafted Diblock Copolymer Films
in Macromolecules
O'Driscoll B
(2011)
Phase separated structures in tethered dPS-PMMA copolymer films revealed using X-ray scattering with a novel contrast enhancement agent
in Polym. Chem.
O'Driscoll B
(2011)
Phase separation in thin films of end-grafted block copolymers
in Polymers for Advanced Technologies
Vorselaars B
(2011)
Self-consistent field theory for diblock copolymers grafted to a sphere
in Soft Matter
| Description | We discovered new structures in polymer films, with potential relevance to applications in data storage. |
| Exploitation Route | This research should underpin further basic research on block copolymer thin film structures and the potential to create tough coatings and patterned nanoparticles |
| Sectors | Chemicals |
| Description | This research was published in several papers. Part of it formed the basis for our EPSRC Platform grant renewal, although Prof Matsen left the UK (for Canada) in 2013 |
| First Year Of Impact | 2008 |
| Sector | Chemicals |