Spontaneous planarization of nanoscale phase separated thin film

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Date

2002-06-01

Journal Title

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Volume Title

Publisher

AIP Publishing

Abstract

Structure of complex fluid at mesoscales is influenced by interfacial effects. We describe the dynamic response in such films to sudden change in interfacial tension. In a self-assembled block copolymer film, the monolayer of 15 nm diam cylindrical discrete phases close to the surface commence to sink at an average rate of 0.16 nm/day in response to the interfacial tension change. Surprisingly, this spontaneous planarization occurs, even though the cylinders are covalently stitched to the matrix. A simple model explains the observed behavior. The observation may lead to approaches to tailor the structure of mesoscale thin films of complex fluids for long-range order that are desirable for nanoscale device fabrication. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.

Description

Keywords

Liquid crystals, Polyimide, Surfaces, Nanostructures, Morphology, Copolymers, Physics

Citation

Saraf, RF; Niu, S; Stumb, E, "Spontaneous planarization of nanoscale phase separated thin film," Appl. Phys. Lett. 80, 4425 (2002); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1481187