Chemical and Architectural Control of Interfacial Interactions in Block Copolymers
Abstract
The microphase separation of diblock copolymers, BCPs, provides a unique platform for the fabrication of nanostructured composites for use in separations, microelectronics and data storage. Key challenges that face block copolymers (BCPs) for the most demanding applications, e.g., addressable storage, are the minimization of domain size and defects in the self-assembled arrays of nanoscopic domains, controlling domain orientation and long-range lateral ordering. In addition, there are practical challenges, including film uniformity, and processes that are not disruptive. We are proposing the synthesis of photo-switchable BCPs that undergo a reversible conformational change that massively increases the segmental interaction parameter, χ, between the blocks, affording domain sizes that are several nanometers in size or less. The insertion of a low surface energy junction point will control the orientation of the microdomains, while a serial zone refinement process, using a cyclic exposure to UV light with heating to order and disorder the BCPs will be used to remove defects and yield long-range lateral order. We will also develop Janus bottlebrush block copolymers, where the growth of the polymer chain can be balanced against the rate of depolymerization, to cycle through the order-disorder transition by changing the backbone length, affording a new strategy to promote long-range order and orientation of BCP morphologies. The proposed fundamental advances in the chemistries, physics, and processing of BCPs will be ground-breaking in the use of BCPs for addressable media, microelectronics, optical coatings, and surface wetting that are of importance for technological advances for the Air Force. Classic organic-based polymers we will be extended in these studies to the development of block copolymers that serve as ceramic precursors for BC and SiC containing copolymers where either one or both blocks of the copolymers comprise the precursor.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 06, 2025
- Source ID
- FA95502510003
Entities
People
- Thomas Russell
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Massachusetts