Electric field manipulated nanopatterns in thin films of metalorganic 3-miktoarm star terpolymers. Issue 21 (3rd May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kathrein, Christine C.; Bai, Wubin; Nunns, Adam; Gwyther, Jessica; Manners, Ian; Böker, Alexander; Tsarkova, Larisa; Ross, Caroline A.
• Is Part Of: Soft matter. Volume 12:Issue 21(2016)
• Page Start: 4866
• Page End: 4874
• Publication Date: 2016-05-03
• Subjects: Soft condensed matter -- Periodicals; 530.413
• DOI: 10.1039/c6sm00451b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-683X

Abstract

Abstract : We report the effect of electric field on the morphological transitions and ordering behavior of polyferrocenylethylmethylsilane block (PFEMS)-containing copolymers. Abstract : We report the effect of electric field on the morphological transitions and ordering behavior of polyferrocenylethylmethylsilane block (PFEMS)-containing copolymers. By analyzing structures in solvent-annealed films of metalorganic sphere- and cylinder-forming diblock copolymers, as well as of 3-miktoarm polyisoprene- arm -polystyrene- arm -PFEMS (3μ-ISF) terpolymers, we decouple two types of responses to the electric field: morphological transformations as a result of an increase in the volume fraction of the PFEMS block by oxidation of the ferrocenyl groups, and the orientation of the dielectric interfaces of microdomains parallel to the electric field vector. In the case of 3μ-ISF, the former effect dominates at high electric field strengths which results in an unexpected cylinder-to-sphere transition, leading to a well-ordered hexagonal dot pattern. Our results demonstrate multiple tunability of ordered microdomain morphologies, suggesting future applications in nanofabrication and surface patterning.