Producing Small Domain Features Using Miktoarm Block Copolymers with Large Interaction Parameters

Abstract

We demonstrate that small domain features (∼13 nm) can be obtained in a series of polystyrene (PS) and poly­(lactic acid) (PLA) block copolymers, PS–(PLA)2 and (PS)2–(PLA)2, that combine miktoarm molecular architectures with large interaction parameters. To supplement the experimental work, we used self-consistent field theory in tandem with the random phase approximation to explore and contrast the phase behavior of AB n and A n B n types of miktoarm block copolymers. Specifically, AB2 and A2B2 were found to be effective molecular architectures for inducing strong shifts in phase boundaries with copolymer composition and to simultaneously tune domain feature sizes. The performance of these systems is markedly different from the corresponding linear diblock copolymers and indicates the potential of macromolecular architecture control for future applications in lithography.

Controlling nanostructure and mechanical properties in triblock copolymer/monomer blends via reaction-induced phase transitions

“…Miktoarm block polymers have been shown to result in smaller domain sizes as compared to the linear counterparts. 36 The reason for the minimal change in d for all j SBS compositions is being currently explored, but we posit that the PS that grafts from the PBD mid-block undergoes microphase separation to reside in the PS domains formed by the PS end-blocks, potentially reducing increases in d with increasing PS content.…”

Directional Self‐Assembly of Fluorinated Star Block Polymer Thin Films Using Mixed Solvent Vapor Annealing

“…Although successful routes to reduce feature sizes via chemical modification have been reported, adjusting the macromolecular architecture also is a compelling approach to realizing small feature sizes, as architecture control potentially provides broader opportunities to obtain higher χ ‐values without the necessity of chemical transformations . For example, Kramer and coworkers demonstrated small L 0 (∼13 nm) by introducing miktoarm molecular architectures to polymer blocks with large interaction parameters . The architectural changes impacted the phase behavior and feature sizes of the self‐assembled BPs.…”

“…[30][31][32][33] For example, Kramer and coworkers demonstrated small L 0 (13 nm) by introducing miktoarm molecular architectures to polymer blocks with large interaction parameters. 31 The architectural changes impacted the phase behavior and feature sizes of the self-assembled BPs.…”

Topology effects on protein–polymer block copolymer self-assembly

“…[25][26][27] One important parameter that has an impact on block copolymer self-assembly is the topology of the block, for example changes between BA, ABA, and BA 2 copolymers. Although there are many reports about topology effects on polymer-polymer block copolymers including branch and triblock types of coil-coil [28][29][30][31][32] and rodcoil block copolymers, [33][34][35][36][37][38] the effect on protein-polymer block copolymers has not been clarified. Recently, we have reported the topological effects on the self-assembly of globular protein-coil protein fusion proteins 22,39 and protein polymer block copolymers.…”