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Hierarchical Pattern Formation in Thin Polymer Films Using an Electric Field and Vapor Sorption
Author(s) -
Harkema S.,
Steiner U.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.200500388
Subject(s) - materials science , electrode , electric field , polymer , pattern formation , toluene , thin film , replication (statistics) , capacitor , sorption , voltage , composite material , nanotechnology , chemistry , electrical engineering , adsorption , organic chemistry , physics , statistics , mathematics , engineering , quantum mechanics , biology , genetics
The experimental observation of electric‐field‐induced instabilities of polymer films exposed to toluene vapors is reported. When using a laterally structured electrode, the pattern that forms in the polymer film is governed by the interplay of the intrinsic film instability and the periodicity of the electrode structure. By adjusting the applied voltage, it is possible to switch between two different pattern‐replication modes. A further important parameter is the aspect ratio of the structured electrode. For high ratios of polymer film thickness to capacitor‐plate spacing, structures with hierarchical length scales have been observed.