Thin films of block copolymer supramolecular assemblies: Microphase separation and nanofabrication

Block copolymer (BCP) thin films have received enormous interest for possible applications in nanotechnology due to their self-assembled structure formation. However, synthesis of polymers with desired chemical and physical properties sometimes is not possible. During the past 6 years, our group developed a method to introduce certain functionality into self-assembled structures via the formation of supramolecular assemblies from BCPs and low molecular weight additives. Among several other materials, the most noteworthy is a system consisting of polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) and 2-(4′-hydroxybenzeneazo) benzoic acid which has been used as nanotemplate for the fabrication of materials with potentially exceptional electrical, optical, or magnetic properties. The present article summarizes the research done at our group on fundamental aspects of microphase separation in these supramolecular assemblies and also their further use as templates for nanofabrication.