Polymer Engineering Faculty Research

Title

Gradient Solvent Vapor Annealing of Block Copolymer Thin Films Using a Microfluidic Mixing Device

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Fall 2011

Abstract

Solvent vapor annealing (SVA) with solvent mixtures is a promising approach for controlling block copolymer thin film self-assembly. In this work, we present the design and fabrication of a solvent-resistant microfluidic mixing device to produce discrete SVA gradients in solvent composition and/or total solvent concentration. Using this device, we identified solvent composition dependent morphology transformations in poly(styrene-b-isoprene-b-styrene) films. This device enables faster and more robust exploration of SVA parameter space, providing insight into self-assembly phenomena.

Volume

11

First Page

1351

Last Page

1357

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