An in situ grazing incidence X-ray scattering study of block copolymer thin films during solvent vapor annealing.

Gu, Xiaodan; Gunkel, Ilja; Hexemer, Alexander; Gu, Weiyin; Russell, Thomas P · Adv Mater · 2014

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

In situ grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering experiments on thin films of block copolymers during annealing in neutral solvent vapors are reported. By removing the solvent in a controlled manner, the period of the microphase separated morphology is found to increase with increasing block copolymer concentration in a power law manner with an exponent ∼ 2/3. By venting the systems at different rates during the solvent removal process, kinetically arresting the system, the period of the microphase separated morphology in the dried film can be varied.