title: Patterning on nonplanar substrates: flexible honeycomb films from a range of self-assembling star copolymers.
abstract: The effect of glass transition temperature, Tg, on the self-assembly of "honeycomb" microstructures on nonplanar substrates was probed by the synthesis of a library of core cross-linked star polymers with different arm compositions. Star polymers based on poly(dimethyl siloxane), poly(ethyl acrylate), poly(methyl acrylate), poly(tert-butyl acrylate), and poly(methyl methacrylate) were synthesized by the "arm first" strategy using atom-transfer radical polymerization. Reaction conditions were optimized, and a series of high molecular weight star polymers were prepared in high yield. The glass transition temperature of the star polymers ranged from -123 to 100 degrees C which allowed the suitability for the formation of porous honeycomb-like films via the "breath figure" technique on nonplanar surfaces to be investigated. All star compositions successfully formed ordered films on flat surfaces. However, only star polymer compositions with a Tg below 48 degrees C could form homogeneous honeycomb coatings on the surface of nonplanar substrates.
authors: Polymer Science Group, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
authors: Luke A
authors: LA
authors: Connal
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Vestberg
authors: Paul A
authors: PA
authors: Gurr
authors: Craig J
authors: CJ
authors: Hawker
authors: Greg G
authors: GG
authors: Qiao