Constructional details of polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) ordered thin film morphology

One of the most important issues for spin-coated diblock copolymer thin films is to distinguish the blocks by common techniques, especially for the diblock copolymers containing one block could form active domain. Aiming different estimations on the composition of surface microdomains in polystyrene-block-poly (4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) atomic force microscope (AFM) phase images, AFM, transmission electron microscopy, and droplet shape analyzer were used to identify the constructional details of the polymer thin film morphology. It was confirmed that PS block is harder than P4VP block in symmetric PS-b-P4VP films and corresponds to brighter regions in AFM phase image. It is helpful to distinguish the nanodomains that originate from the different blocks in PS-b-P4VP thin films. The structure evolutions of PS-b-P4VP film annealed with different selective solvents were studied and discussed. The results indicated that the core-corona inversion process is due to the cores of micelles swell and coalesce together rather than local reorganization of the chains.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (205 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► The estimations on the composition of microdomains in PS-b-P4VP film morphology are important. ► The mechanical properties or Tgs of the blocks were used to decide the composition. ► AFM, TEM, and droplet shape analyzer (DSA) were performed to analyze AFM phase image. ► The film morphology evolution with solvent vapor annealing and possible mechanism was proposed.