[en] Thin films of blends of polystyrene (PS) and poly(n-butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) were prepared by spin-casting onto silicon wafers in order to map the lateral distribution of the two polymers. The surfaces were examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM) secondary ion mass spectroscopy X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM). Films with PBMA contents of 50% w/w or less were relatively smooth, but further increase in the PBMA content produced, initially, protruding PS ribbons and then, for PBMA ≥80% w/w, isolated PS islands. At all concentrations the topmost surface (0.5-1.0 nm) was covered by PBMA, whilst the PBMA concentration in the near-surface region, measured by XPS, increased with bulk content to eventual saturation. PEEM measurements of a PS-PBMA film at the composition at which ribbon features were observed by AFM also showed a PS-rich ribbon structure surrounded by a sea of mainly PBMA.
Research Center/Unit :
Center for Education and Research on Macromolecules (CERM)
Disciplines :
Chemistry Materials science & engineering
Author, co-author :
Affrossman, S.; University of Strathclyde, Glascow, UK > Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry
Jérôme, Robert ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Department of Chemistry > Center for Education and Research on Macromolecules (CERM)
O'Neill, S. A.; University of Strathclyde, Glascow, UK > Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry
Schmitt, T.; Max -Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung, Mainz, Germany
Stamm, Manfred; Institut for Polymerforschung, Dresden, Germany
Language :
English
Title :
Surface structure of thin film blends of polystyrene and poly(n-butyl methacrylate)
EPSRC - Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council BMBF - Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung UE - Union Européenne
Commentary :
The authors acknowledge Colloid & Polymer Science (Springer) for allowing them to archive this paper. The original publication is available at http://www.springerlink.com/content/4qg1u06h2ayxq5w2/fulltext.pdf
