can be attributed to the relaxation of the stretching in the PS and PVP chains. In thin
films of C forming PS-b-PVP/PDP system where PS forms the minority C phase
( f
PS
= 0.2–0.3) with the C lying parallel to the surface, Fahmi et al. extracted the
PDP leaving PS rods with hairy PVP chains (Fahmi et al. 2003; Fahmi and Stamm
2005). Complexation of metal ions with the free electrons of P4VP resulted in the
formation of nanowires with transition metals (Pd, Ag, Ni, Au) and semiconductor
nanoparticles (CdSe). The concentration of the metallic NPs is maintained low such
that the metal-polymer interactions are stronger than metal-metal interactions.
Aforementioned results highlight the uniqueness and complexity of LCBCP
phase behavior. Control over chemistry of the molecules and type of chemical
interactions between LCs and BCPs is essential to the realization of these advanced
materials. The numerous experimental results and theoretical calculations offer
advice and act as guiding tools in designing more complex phase behavior with
the ultimate goal of achieving self-assembly at multiple length scales with associated
functionalities in a single phase material.
Conclusion and Outlooks
In this chapter, we reviewed the structure and assembly behaviors of LCBCPs. In
particular, we show that RCLCP and SCLCP can be readily incorporated in the BCP
systems to form a variety of hierarchical structures, with the LC orders ranging from
1–5 nm while BCP orders of approximately a few tens of nanometers. In this LCP
BCPs, LC ordering and BCP microphase separation competes with each other, as
each phase dictate distinct symmetries. Future research directions include: (1) further
exploring complex structures of these hierarchical systems; (2) understanding the
dynamics of the LC and polymers in the nanoconfined environment of the BCPs;
(3) electro-optic applications of the LC BCPs; and (4) use of the hierarchical
structure in nanotechnology fields such as device fabrication and lithography.
References
Akiyama M, Jamieson AM (1992) Enthalpic interaction in block copolymer/homopolymer blend
systems: morphological studies of solvent-cast films. Polymer 33:3582–3592
Al-Hussein M, Serero Y, Konovalov O, Mourran A, Moller M, de Jeu WH (2005) Nanoordering of
fluorinated side-chain liquid crystalline/amorphous diblock copolymers. Macromolecules
38:9610–9616
Ansari IA, Castelletto V, Mykhaylyk T, Hamley IW (2003) Hierarchical order in a side-group liquid
crystalline block copolymer. Macromolecules 36:8898–8901
Anthamatten M (2001) Order in side chain liquid crystalline diblock copolymers. MIT Ph.D.
Dissertation
Anthamatten M, Hammond PT (1999) A SAXS study of microstructure ordering transitions in
liquid crystalline side-chain diblock copolymers. Macromolecules 32:8066–8076
Anthamatten M, Zheng WY, Hammond PT (1999) A morphological study of well-defined smectic
side-chain LC block copolymers. Macromolecules 32:4838–4848
208
K. K. Tenneti et al.
films of C forming PS-b-PVP/PDP system where PS forms the minority C phase
( f
PS
= 0.2–0.3) with the C lying parallel to the surface, Fahmi et al. extracted the
PDP leaving PS rods with hairy PVP chains (Fahmi et al. 2003; Fahmi and Stamm
2005). Complexation of metal ions with the free electrons of P4VP resulted in the
formation of nanowires with transition metals (Pd, Ag, Ni, Au) and semiconductor
nanoparticles (CdSe). The concentration of the metallic NPs is maintained low such
that the metal-polymer interactions are stronger than metal-metal interactions.
Aforementioned results highlight the uniqueness and complexity of LCBCP
phase behavior. Control over chemistry of the molecules and type of chemical
interactions between LCs and BCPs is essential to the realization of these advanced
materials. The numerous experimental results and theoretical calculations offer
advice and act as guiding tools in designing more complex phase behavior with
the ultimate goal of achieving self-assembly at multiple length scales with associated
functionalities in a single phase material.
Conclusion and Outlooks
In this chapter, we reviewed the structure and assembly behaviors of LCBCPs. In
particular, we show that RCLCP and SCLCP can be readily incorporated in the BCP
systems to form a variety of hierarchical structures, with the LC orders ranging from
1–5 nm while BCP orders of approximately a few tens of nanometers. In this LCP
BCPs, LC ordering and BCP microphase separation competes with each other, as
each phase dictate distinct symmetries. Future research directions include: (1) further
exploring complex structures of these hierarchical systems; (2) understanding the
dynamics of the LC and polymers in the nanoconfined environment of the BCPs;
(3) electro-optic applications of the LC BCPs; and (4) use of the hierarchical
structure in nanotechnology fields such as device fabrication and lithography.
References
Akiyama M, Jamieson AM (1992) Enthalpic interaction in block copolymer/homopolymer blend
systems: morphological studies of solvent-cast films. Polymer 33:3582–3592
Al-Hussein M, Serero Y, Konovalov O, Mourran A, Moller M, de Jeu WH (2005) Nanoordering of
fluorinated side-chain liquid crystalline/amorphous diblock copolymers. Macromolecules
38:9610–9616
Ansari IA, Castelletto V, Mykhaylyk T, Hamley IW (2003) Hierarchical order in a side-group liquid
crystalline block copolymer. Macromolecules 36:8898–8901
Anthamatten M (2001) Order in side chain liquid crystalline diblock copolymers. MIT Ph.D.
Dissertation
Anthamatten M, Hammond PT (1999) A SAXS study of microstructure ordering transitions in
liquid crystalline side-chain diblock copolymers. Macromolecules 32:8066–8076
Anthamatten M, Zheng WY, Hammond PT (1999) A morphological study of well-defined smectic
side-chain LC block copolymers. Macromolecules 32:4838–4848
208
K. K. Tenneti et al.