Phase Separation of Silicon-Containing Polymer/Polystyrene Blends in Spin-Coated Films

Abstract

In this Article, two readily available polymers that contain silicon and have different surface tensions, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polyphenylsilsequioxane (PPSQ), were used to produce polymer blends with polystyrene (PS). Spin-coated thin films of the polymer blends were treated by O2 reactive-ion etching (RIE). The PS constituent was selectively removed by O2 RIE, whereas the silicon-containing phase remained because of the high etching resistance of silicon. This selective removal of PS substantially enhanced the contrast of the phase separation morphologies for better scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) measurements. We investigated the effects of the silicon-containing constituents, polymer blend composition, concentration of the polymer blend solution, surface tension of the substrate, and the spin-coating speed on the ultimate morphologies of phase separation. The average domain size, ranging from 100 nm to 10 μm, was tuned through an interplay of these factors. In addition, the polymer blend film was formed on a pure organic layer, through which the aspect ratio of the phase separation morphologies was further amplified by a selective etching process. The formed nanostructures are compatible with existing nanofabrication techniques for pattern transfer onto substrates.

A review on tribology of polymer composite coatings

“…The phase separation morphology was also observed in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/polystyrene and polyphenylsilsequioxane (PPSQ)/polystyrene blends. Types of silicon-containing constituents, polymer blend composition, concentration of the polymer blend solution, surface tension of the substrate, and spin-coating speed can affect the ultimate morphologies of phase separation [106]. Cui et al [107] studied the effects of polymer concentration.…”

Poly(styrene-co-butadiene) random copolymer thin films and nanostructures on a mica surface: morphology and contact angles of nanodroplets

“…5 However, the understanding of how these polymers interact with surfaces on the nanoscale is incomplete. It is well documented that polymers behave differently in the bulk than at an interface, [6][7][8] although the drivers for these behaviour changes remain under investigation. A greater understanding of how polymers behave in the vicinity of a surface at a fundamental level is essential to promote the intelligent design of composite materials and polymers at interfaces.…”

“…22 Comprehensive studies have been carried out investigating the morphology of many different types of polymers on surfaces using AFM. These include end-grafted polymers where pinned micelles form on a surface, 23,24 polymer blends and their phase separation on surfaces, 6,25,26 and diblock copolymers where terraced or layered structures are formed. [9][10][11] Some research has been carried out investigating the morphology of crystalline homopolymers on surfaces where crystalline nanolamellae can form.…”

Narrow band resonance in the UV light region of a plasmonic nanotextured surface used as a refractive index sensor

“…This indicates that low energy losses excited from plasmon resonant are contributed by the aperiodic structure. 28 Moreover, the coupling deeper structures of PND-2 with metal/dielectric/ semiconductor show the sharp FHMW $20 nm for peak_1. PND-2 shows a high sensitivity that might be attributed MDM, resulting from the coupling effect of surface waves.…”