Pattern Formation and Ordering in Thin Films of Crystallisable Block Copolymers

摘要

We show that tapping-mode atomic force microscopy provides real-space and time-resolved observations of morphology and pattern formation resulting from crystallisation of annealed thin films of polyethyleneoxide or microphase-separated low-molecular-weight hydrogenated poly(butadiene-b-ethyleneoxide) diblock copolymers. Differences in viscoelastic properties allow distinguishing crystalline and molten (amorphous) areas with a nanometer resolution.