Kinetic constraints on the development of surface microstructure in SBS thin films

Ginam Kim, Matthew Libera

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

103 Scopus citations

Abstract

Thin film specimens of styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) triblock copolymer were prepared by casting 0.1 wt% solutions in toluene onto polished NaCl single crystals. The observed deviations from a continuous surface layer of the lower surface-energy PB constituent was explained in terms of kinetic constraints during film formation. The as-cast films had a demixed surface structure with both PB-rich and PS-rich surface microdomains. The continuous layer formed upon annealing indicated that the use of solvent evaporation provides insufficient time with high polymer mobility for adequate microstructural rearrangement. The obvious kinetic constraints on the development of surface microstructure was in part attributed to molecular weight considerations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2670-2672
Number of pages3
JournalMacromolecules
Volume31
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1998

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