Modeling the self-assembly of copolymer-nanoparticle mixtures confined between solid surfaces

Using numerical calculations, we undertake the first morphological studies of mixtures of AB diblocks and nanoparticles that are confined between two hard walls. A complex interplay of entropic and enthalpic interactions drives the nonselective particles to localize at the hard walls and A/B interfa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2003-09, Vol.91 (13), p.136103-136103, Article 136103
Main Authors: Lee, Jae Youn, Shou, Zhenyu, Balazs, Anna C
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Using numerical calculations, we undertake the first morphological studies of mixtures of AB diblocks and nanoparticles that are confined between two hard walls. A complex interplay of entropic and enthalpic interactions drives the nonselective particles to localize at the hard walls and A/B interfaces, causing the mixture to spontaneously self-assemble into particle-decorated lamellae that are oriented perpendicular to the surfaces. The film reveals a periodic array of particle "nanowires" that are separated by the nanoscale polymer domains, yielding a vital material for nanodevice fabrication.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/physrevlett.91.136103