Electric field manipulated nanopatterns in thin films of metalorganic 3-miktoarm star terpolymers

Abstract

University of Bristol -Explore Bristol Research General rightsThis document is made available in accordance with publisher policies. Please cite only the published version using the reference above. Full terms of use are available: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/pure/about/ebr-terms J o u r n a l Na me We report the effect of electric field on the morphological transitions and ordering behavior of polyferrocenylethylmethylsilane block (PFEMS)-containing copolymers. By analyzing structures in swollen 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: an increase in the volume fraction of the PFEMS block by oxidation of the ferrocenyl groups inducing morphological transformation, and orientation of the dielectric interfaces of microdomains parallel to the electric field vector. In the case of 3µ-ISF, the former effect dominates the morphological behavior at high electric field strengths, 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.