Structure formation of ultrathin PEO films at solid interfaces-complex pattern formation by dewetting and crystallization

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
2013
Volume
14
Issue
2
Journal
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Series Titel
Book Title
Publisher
Basel : MDPI AG
Link to publishers version
Abstract

The direct contact of ultrathin polymer films with a solid substrate may result in thin film rupture caused by dewetting. With crystallisable polymers such as polyethyleneoxide (PEO), molecular self-assembly into partial ordered lamella structures is studied as an additional source of pattern formation. Morphological features in ultrathin PEO films (thickness < 10 nm) result from an interplay between dewetting patterns and diffusion limited growth pattern of ordered lamella growing within the dewetting areas. Besides structure formation of hydrophilic PEO molecules, n-alkylterminated (hydrophobic) PEO oligomers are investigated with respect to self-organization in ultrathin films. Morphological features characteristic for pure PEO are not changed by the presence of the n-alkylgroups.

Description
Keywords
Citation
Braun, H.-G., & Meyer, E. (2013). Structure formation of ultrathin PEO films at solid interfaces-complex pattern formation by dewetting and crystallization (Basel : MDPI AG). Basel : MDPI AG. https://doi.org//10.3390/ijms14023254
Collections
License
CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 Unported