Structure evolution in layers of polymer blend nanoparticles.
The early stages of phase evolution, not available for nanometer polymer blend films spin-cast from solutions of incompatible mixtures, have been examined for films prepared from nanoparticles of deuterated polystyrene/ poly(methyl methacrylate) blends (1:1 mass fraction of dPS/PMMA) with PS-PMMA diblock copolymer additives. The initial phase arrangement, confined to the size of nanoparticles, has provided the homogeneity of the initial film composition. The early stages of structure formation, promoted by annealing and traced with atomic and lateral force microscopy (AFM, LFM) as well as secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS), resulted in bilayers, observed commonly for as-prepared solvent-cast blends. The initiated capillary instability of the upper dPS-rich layer depended on copolymer additives, which enhanced the lateral structures pinning the dewetting process.
Raczkowska
Joanna
J
Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagellonian University, Reymonta 4, 30-059 Kraków, Poland. raczkowska@if.uj.edu.pl
Montenegro
Rivelino
R
Budkowski
Andrzej
A
Landfester
Katharina
K
Bernasik
Andrzej
A
Rysz
Jakub
J
Czuba
Paweł
P
D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010316:Particle Size; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000737:chemistry*; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D018629:Spectrometry, Mass, Secondary Ion; D017155:Wettability
D011137:Polystyrenes; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate