The effect of structural isomerism on block copolymer self-assembly

ORAL

Abstract

The impact of structural isomerism on the self-assembly of block copolymers (BCPs) is generally demonstrated. However, to date, the precise control over structural isomerism of BCPs (SI-BCPs) and a systematic investigation on its effect on thermodynamics have not been fully realized. Here we demonstrate a high throughput platform for a library of well-defined SI-BCPs with identical dispersity and molecular weight. The isomerism is precisely controlled by manipulating the number and position of fluorine atoms of one block. A significant difference in domain periodicities of SI-BCPs was observed. The Flory-Huggins interaction parameter was estimated using self-consistent mean-field theory. The chain conformation of SI-BCPs was measured using scattering techniques. Finally, we believe this systematic investigation of SI-BCPs may lead to a better understanding of the structure-property relationship of polymeric materials and broaden the scope for new polymeric materials.

*We gratefully acknowledge the support by National Institute of Standards and Technology through the Center for Hierarchical Materials Design. We acknowledge the MRSEC Shared User Facilities (NSF DMR-1420709) and the Pritzker Nanofabrication Facility of the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago

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Presenters

  • Hongbo Feng

    • University of Chicago

Authors

  • Hongbo Feng

    • University of Chicago

  • Whitney Loo

    • University of Chicago

  • Wen Chen

    • University of Chicago

  • Christopher Eom

    • The University of Chicago

  • Ludwig Schneider

    • Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago
    • University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
    • University of Chicago, PME
    • University of Chicago

  • Stuart Rowan

    • Univeristy of Chicago

  • Paul Nealey

    • University of Chicago