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Elsevier, Surface Science, 5(600), p. 1004-1011

DOI: 10.1016/j.susc.2005.12.033

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Pattern guided structure formation in polymer films of asymmetric blends

Journal article published in 2006 by J. Raczkowska, A. Bernasik ORCID, A. Budkowski, P. Cyganik, J. Rysz ORCID, I. Raptis, P. Czuba
This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

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Abstract

Two off-critical blends of poly(2-vinylpyridine) and polystyrene, 2:3 and 3:2 (w:w) PVP:PS, were spin-cast (with varied domain scale R) onto periodically (λ = 4 μm) patterned substrate. The pattern consisted of two alternating symmetric stripes: Au attracting PVP and neutral self-assembled monolayer. The resulting droplet-type morphologies were recorded with Scanning Force Microscopy and examined with integral geometry approach. PVP-rich islands of the 2:3 PVP:PS films form, for a wide R/λ range, strongly anisotropic morphologies. They show up, for R/λ ∼ 0.5, a weak λ/2-substructure of smaller PVP droplets in addition to the domains periodic with λ. The 3:2 blend exhibits morphologies with dominant λ-structure of PVP ribbons, which encircle PS droplets. For R/λ ∼ 0.5, smaller PS domains are also present but no λ/2-substructure is formed. The |χE|-values of droplet surface density are reduced, as compared to homogeneous substrate, for the 3:2 blend (with |χE| → 0 for R ∼ λ). This effect is absent for the 2:3 mixture.