Defect Annihilation Pathways in Directed Assembly of Lamellar Block Copolymer Thin Films

ACS Nano
Su-Mi HurJuan J de Pablo

Abstract

Defects in highly ordered self-assembled block copolymers represent an important roadblock toward the adoption of these materials in a wide range of applications. This work examines the pathways for annihilation of defects in symmetric diblock copolymers in the context of directed assembly using patterned substrates. Past theoretical and computational studies of such systems have predicted minimum free energy pathways that are characteristic of an activated process. However, they have been limited to adjacent dislocations with opposite Burgers vectors. By relying on a combination of advanced sampling techniques and particle-based simulations, this work considers the long-range interaction between dislocation pairs, both on homogeneous and nanopatterned substrates. As illustrated here, these interactions are central to understanding the defect structures that are most commonly found in applications and in experimental studies of directed self-assembly. More specifically, it is shown that, for dislocation dipoles separated by several lamellae, multiple consecutive free energy barriers lead to effective kinetic barriers that are an order of magnitude larger than those originally reported in the literature for tightly bound disloca...Continue Reading

References

Apr 18, 1994·Physical Review Letters·M W Matsen, M Schick
Nov 25, 2000·Science·C HarrisonP M Chaikin
May 5, 2007·The Journal of Chemical Physics·Weinan EEric Vanden-Eijnden
Aug 30, 2007·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Thomas F MillerDavid Chandler
Sep 27, 2008·Science·Chuanbing TangCraig J Hawker
Jun 13, 2009·Physical Review Letters·François A DetcheverryJuan J de Pablo
Dec 3, 2009·Chemical Reviews·Ho-Cheol KimWilliam D Hinsberg
Feb 18, 2010·Faraday Discussions·François A DetcheverryJuan J de Pablo
May 21, 2010·Physical Review Letters·Xiuyuan ChengAn-Chang Shi
May 24, 2011·Physical Review Letters·Christina L TingZhen-Gang Wang
Feb 18, 2014·Nature Communications·Jae-Byum ChangKarl K Berggren
May 6, 2015·Annual Review of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering·Weihua Li, Marcus Müller
Oct 31, 2015·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Su-Mi HurJuan J de Pablo
Jun 13, 2018·Molecular Systems Design & Engineering·Adam F HannonR Joseph Kline

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jun 20, 2019·Science Advances·Ye Chan KimSo Youn Kim
May 19, 2021·ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·Jiajing LiPaul F Nealey
Nov 23, 2019·ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·Jan DoiseChristopher J Ellison
Oct 26, 2021·Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids·Kevin HoGilbert C Walker
Mar 25, 2019··Paul F. NealeyPaulina A. Rincon-Delgadillo

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.