Adjustable self-assembly in polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) dip-coated thin films

摘要

This work studies the influence of dip-coating parameters on self-assembly in ultra-thin films of asymmetric polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) copolymers from a 1-chloropentane solution using a combination of several experimental techniques. Small-Angle X-ray Scattering, Atomic Force Microscopy, Grazing Incidence Small Angle X-ray Scattering and Transmission Electron Microscopy were used to characterize the fabricated films. We have shown a facile fabrication route to smooth films with a wide range of thicknesses. Arranged domains of P4VP oriented perpendicularly to the substrate were observed. The domain sizes and spacing varied in the range from 13 up to 35 nm and from 39 to 115 nm, respectively.