Micro-phase separation and configuration of ABC triblock copolymer in ultra-thin film by Monte Carlo simulation |
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Authors: | X Xiao H Liu Y Hu |
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Institution: | Department of Chemistry , State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai, 200237, China |
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Abstract: | A Monte Carlo simulation using the bond fluctuation and cavity diffusion algorithms was adopted to investigate the micro-phase separation of ABC triblock copolymer in ultra-thin film on simple cubic lattice. Simulations reveal that the morphologies of ABC copolymer films are dependent on not only the volume fraction of the middle block B (f B) but also on the ratio of interaction between different kinds of blocks (?(AC)/?(AB)). As for the molecular orientation, the copolymers stretch parallel to the flat surface at lower f B, but tend to align perpendicularly along z direction at higher f B. Furthermore, the chain configuration was discussed in detail. Smaller ?(AC)/?(AB) is beneficial to the formation of a “loop” configuration, whereas, larger ?(AC)/?(AB) would result in a “bridge” configuration of ABC triblock copolymer chains. The formation of micro-phase structures was illustrated intuitively by the molecular orientation and the chain configuration. |
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Keywords: | ABC triblock copolymer Ultra-thin film MC simulation Micro-phase separation Configuration |
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