Ultraconfined
block copolymer films present nonbulk structures
that are highly sensitive to film thickness and are strongly influenced
by the wetting properties of the substrate. Here, we describe the
self-assembly of bottlebrush block copolymers with varying side-chain
lengths on different types of substrates. Our results show a pronounced
influence of the nature of the substrate on the self-assembled morphology
and the surface patterns that evolve during solvent–vapor annealing.
In particular, we observe by experiments and simulations a transient,
substrate-driven morphology of cylinder-like structures obtained in
films of doubly symmetric (i.e., the backbone and side chains) bottlebrush
block copolymers despite the general tendency of these polymers to
form lamellar structures. The insights gained from this study highlight
the ability to use the substrate chemistry for inducing the formation
of unique morphologies in bottlebrush block copolymer films.
Arrays of alternating metallic nanostructures present hybrid properties, which are useful for applications such as photonics and catalysis. Block copolymer films provide versatile templates for fabricating periodic arrays of nanowires....
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