In Situ Studies of Phase Separation and Crystallization Directed by Marangoni Instabilities During Spin-Coating

摘要

Spin-coating is a facile, straightforward, solution processing technique for the production of uniform thin polymer films, which has been utilized for a wide range of applications including organic electronic and photonic devices, sensors, membranes and optical coatings. Many of the applications of spin-coated polymer films utilize the propensity of polymers to self-assemble, resulting in the formation of well-ordered, intricate morphologies that evolve towards thermodynamic equilibrium. Understanding the interplay between processes such as phase-separation, crystallization, agglomeration and wetting, which control the final morphology, has therefore been the topic of intense theoretical and experimental studies in the field of polymer science. In particular the potential of spun-cast organic electronic devices to help alleviate the world's dependence upon fossil fuels in terms of energy generation and energy efficiencies has driven the need for greater control over the final morphology, in order to produce more efficient devices.