Parallel and perpendicular lamellar phases in copolymer–nanoparticle multilayer structures

• Published in: Physica. B, Condensed matter Vol. 350; no. 1; pp. E939 - E942
• Main Authors: Lauter-Pasyuk, V, Lauter, H, Gordeev, G, Müller-Buschbaum, P, Toperverg, B.P, Petry, W, Jernenkov, M, Petrenko, A, Aksenov, V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.07.2004
• Subjects: Block copolymers films; Composite films; Nanoparticles; Neutron off-specular scattering; Neutron reflectometry; Nanoparticles; 82.35.Lr; Neutron reflectometry; 81.16.Dn; 82.35.Np; Block copolymers films; 82.35.Jk; Neutron off-specular scattering; 61.12.Ha; 83.20.Uv; Composite films
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physb.2004.03.265
• ISSN: 0921-4526

Recent results in developing novel nanocomposite multilayer structures are presented. We used symmetric polystryrene–block–polymethylmethacrylate (deuterated) P(S–b–MMAd) lamellar thin films as a self-assembling matrix for the lamellar arrangement of Fe 3O 4 nanoparticles. Pure copolymer films showed an unusual structure with a perpendicular to the surface orientation of the lamellae, in the part of the film towards the free surface. This is a new phenomenon because up to now this orientation was obtained only on specially prepared substrates. After the incorporation of nanoparticles into the copolymer matrix, the system switched to a lamellar structure parallel to the surface. Further increasing of the nanoparticles concentration led to a more perfect lamellar structure, which shows that the limit for a high concentration of nanoparticles, important for nanotechnology has not yet been reached.