Going beyond the surface: revealing complex block copolymer morphologies with 3D scanning force microscopy

ACS Nano. 2010 Oct 26;4(10):5609-16. doi: 10.1021/nn1010683.

Abstract

We report on the quasi in situ scanning force microscopy nanotomography which proved to be a key method to effectively obtain a three-dimensional (3D) microdomain structure of a complex ABC triblock morphology. As an example, we studied polybutadiene-block-poly(2-vinyl pyridine)-block-poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) (BVT) thin triblock terpolymer films. We realized a controlled erosion of the material by using low-pressure plasma etching coupled to the scanning force microscope. The 3D reconstruction provides insights into the structural behavior in very thin volume elements revealing morphological details not accessible with other methods.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Butadienes / chemistry
  • Elastomers / chemistry
  • Hydroxylation
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Methacrylates / chemistry
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force / methods*
  • Nanotechnology / methods
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Pressure
  • Silicon / chemistry
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Butadienes
  • Elastomers
  • Methacrylates
  • Polymers
  • polybutadiene
  • Silicon