Open AccessMesoscale networks and corresponding transitions from self-assembly of block copolymers
Author(s) -
Cheng-Yen Chang,
Gkreti-Maria Manesi,
Chih-Ying Yang,
YuChueh Hung,
Kai-Chieh Yang,
Po-Ting Chiu,
Apostolos Avgeropoulos,
RongMing Ho
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2022275118
Subject(s) - gyroid , copolymer , materials science , frustration , polystyrene , self assembly , phase (matter) , annealing (glass) , diamond , crystallography , chemical physics , nanotechnology , polymer , physics , chemistry , condensed matter physics , composite material , quantum mechanics
A series of cubic network phases was obtained from the self-assembly of a single-composition lamellae (L)-forming block copolymer (BCP) polystyrene-block-polydimethylsiloxane (PS- b -PDMS) through solution casting using a PS-selective solvent. An unusual network phase in diblock copolymers, double-primitive phase (DP) with space group of [Formula: see text], can be observed. With the reduction of solvent evaporation rate for solution casting, a double-diamond phase (DD) with space group of [Formula: see text] can be formed. By taking advantage of thermal annealing, order-order transitions from the DP and DD phases to a double-gyroid phase (DG) with space group of [Formula: see text] can be identified. The order-order transitions from DP (hexapod network) to DD (tetrapod network), and finally to DG (trigonal planar network) are attributed to the reduction of the degree of packing frustration within the junction (node), different from the predicted Bonnet transformation from DD to DG, and finally to DP based on enthalpic consideration only. This discovery suggests a new methodology to acquire various network phases from a simple diblock system by kinetically controlling self-assembling process.