AFM Cross-Sectional Imaging of Perpendicularly Oriented Nanocylinder Structures of Microphase-Separated Block Copolymer Films by Crystal-like Cleavage

Phase-selective staining of metal salt for scanning electron microscopy imaging of block copolymer film

“…1(a)) shows that hexagonally arranged PEO microdomains (dark) are uniformly dispersed in the PMA(Az) hydrophobic matrix (bright), indicating hydrophilic PEO nanocylinders are perpendicularly oriented throughout the films, which is consistent with our previous observation [8,9]. However, the corresponding SEM image is featureless because of serious charge accumulation occurring under electron beam irradiation even at 1 kV ( Fig.…”

“…However, TEM is very sensitive to sample preparation, where the specimen should be sliced thin enough to guarantee electron beam transmission for imaging. On the other hand, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been intensively applied to evaluate BCP films since AFM mapping can be performed either in air or in vacuum [8][9][10]. However, AFM scanning speed is relatively slow, and the spatial resolution is poorer than that of TEM.…”

Nanostructure Dependent Surface Energy of Silica Nanorod Arrays through Block Copolymer Templating Processes

“…The imaging was conducted in tapping mode using a silicon cantilever with a resonance frequency of 300 kHz [10]. Prior to the recording of FE-SEM images on a Hitachi S-5200 field-emission scanning electron microscope a Pt/Au layer (thickness ~ 2 nm) was deposited onto the surface of the samples using a HITACHI E-1010 ion sputter.…”

Orientation Control of Microphase Separated Nanocylinders in Confined Volume Fabricated by Inkjet Printing

“…1), forms highly ordered microphase separated film with perpendicular PEO cylinders on various substrate just by thermal annealing [9][10][11] . Substrate modifications such as surface neutralization are not necessary, because the perpendicular cylinder forms from a film surface.…”