Polymer brushes on periodically nanopatterned surfaces.
Structural properties of polymer brushes tethered on a periodically nanopatterned substrate are investigated by computer simulations. The substrate consists of an alternating succession of two different types of equal-width parallel stripes, and the polymers are end-tethered selectively on every second stripe. Three distinct morphologies of the nanopatterned brush have been identified, and their range of stability has been determined in terms of a single universal parameter that combines the grafting density, the polymer length, and the stripe width. We propose scaling relations for the average brush height and for the architectural properties of the outer surface of the nanopatterned brush under good solvent conditions. Our analysis provides guidelines for fabricating well-defined and tunable nanopatterned polymeric films.
Koutsioubas
Alexandros G
AG
Department of Physics and Department of Materials Science, University of Patras, Patras 26504, Greece.
Vanakaras
Alexandros G
AG
D003198:Computer Simulation; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011108:Polymers; D012997:Solvents