Premium
Hierarchical Structuring in Block Copolymer Nanocomposites through Two Phase‐Separation Processes Operating on Different Time Scales
Author(s) -
Ploshnik Elina,
Langner Karol M.,
Halevi Amit,
BenLulu Meirav,
Müller Axel H. E.,
Fraaije Johannes G. E. M.,
Agur Sevink G. J.,
Shenhar Roy
Publication year - 2013
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.201300091
Subject(s) - materials science , mesoscopic physics , copolymer , polystyrene , nanoparticle , phase (matter) , ethylene oxide , chemical physics , nanocomposite , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , methyl methacrylate , oxide , polymer , composite material , organic chemistry , chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering , metallurgy
Tailoring the size and surface chemistry of nanoparticles allows one to control their position in a block copolymer, but this is usually limited to one‐dimensional distribution across domains. Here, the hierarchical assembly of poly(ethylene oxide)‐stabilized gold nanoparticles (Au‐PEO) into hexagonally packed clusters inside mesostructured ultrathin films of polystyrene‐ block ‐poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS‐ b ‐PMMA) is described. A close examination of the structural evolution at different nanoparticle filling fractions and PEO ligand molecular weights suggests that the mechanism leading to this structure‐within‐structure is the existence of two phase separation processes operating on different time scales. The length of the PEO ligand is shown to influence not only the interparticle distances but also the phase separation processes. These conclusions are supported by novel mesoscopic simulations, which provide additional insight into the kinetic and thermodynamic factors that are responsible for this behavior.