Abstract
Micelle clusters and square slices that formed in different polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-b-PEO) solutions were observed with AFM. This diblock copolymer assembled into small spherical micelles and then micelle clusters (diameters: 100-400 nm) after the PS-b-PEO/toluene solution had been aged for 24 h at room temperature. Square slices were obtained from solutions aged for two months. Solvent vapor induced morphological and structural transitions of the micelle clusters and the stability of the square slices on Si wafers were investigated. The results showed that the solvent vapor induced morphology of the sample aged for 24 h was more ordered than that aged for two months. Possible mechanisms for the formation of these structures in the solutions and the vapor-induced structural transition were proposed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 11 |
| Journal | Journal of Polymer Research |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue number | 11 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 2012 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Funding
Acknowledgments The authors thank the National Natural Science Foundation of China (20974077, 51073157, 51173130) and the Special Funds for National Basic Research Program of China (2010CB631102).
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Special Funds for National Basic Research Program of China | 2010CB631102 |
| National Natural Science Foundation of China | 20974077, 51173130, 51073157 |
Keywords
- PS-b-PEOdiblock copolymer
- Structural transition
- Vapor annealing