title: Domain coalescence-induced nucleation and anomalous growth of holes in thin polymer blend film.
abstract: The phase evolution of a thin polymer blend film of polystyrene (PS) and poly(2-vinyl pyridine) (P2VP) triggered by solvent annealing is examined at both the bulk and single-(macro)molecule levels using wide-field microscopy (WFM). The transitions between different evolutionary stages in the nucleation and growth process are clearly visualized in real time and without intermittent breaks. The nucleation of PS holes arises from the coalescence and growth of P2VP domains and the holes expand in a complex manner involving the dewetting of PS and the absorption of P2VP domains into the holes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
authors.forename: Wuguo
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bi
authors.forename: Edwin K L
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Yeow