- 标题
- 摘要
- 关键词
- 实验方案
- 产品
-
Molecular Simulations of Laser Spike Annealing of Block-Copolymer Lamellar Thin-Films
摘要： We use molecular dynamic simulations to study the phase behavior of a coarse-grained lamella-forming A-b-B di-block copolymer under thin-film soft confinement for different heating cycle lengths, film thicknesses, and substrate-polymer affinities. This model describes the effect on thin-film morphology with a free surface (air-polymer interface) and a solid substrate. Our simulation results were first validated by showing that they capture changes for the order-disorder transition temperature with annealing conditions consistent with those found in laser spike annealing experiments, when the vertical lamella phase formed on neutral substrates. In addition, simulations with a substrate selective for a particular block revealed the formation of other phases including a mixed vertical-horizontal lamella and a metastable island phase having horizontal but incomplete lamella layers. The nanoscale roughness features of this island phase, and hence its surface wettability, can be tuned with suitable choices of chemistry and annealing conditions.
关键词： thin-film,nanoscale roughness,order-disorder transition,phase behavior,laser spike annealing,molecular dynamic simulations,block copolymer
更新于2025-09-23 15:21:01
-
Polymer functionalized nanoparticles in liquid crystals: combining PDLCs with LC nanocomposites
摘要： Liquid crystal (LC)–polymer blends are important stimuli responsive materials already employed in a wide range of applications whereas nanoparticle (NP)–LC blends are an emerging class of nanocomposites. Polymer ligands offer the advantages of synthetic simplicity along with chemical and molecular weight tunability. Here we compare the phase behavior of 5CB blended with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and with gold NPs functionalized with thiolated PEO (AuNP–PEO) as a function of PEO concentration by DSC, POM and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Both PEO and the AuNP–PEO form uniform dispersions in isotropic 5CB and phase separate below the I–N phase transition temperature. Above the PEO crystallization temperature, the PEO/5CB blends show the expected biphasic state of PEO rich-isotropic liquid co-existing with PEO-poor nematic droplets. At PEO concentrations above 10 wt%, nematic 5CB nucleates with PEO crystallization. Both PEO and AuNP–PEO induce homeotropic alignment of the 5CB matrix immediately below TNI. The AuNP–PEO/5CB blends form thermally reversible cellular networks similar to AuNPs functionalized with low molecular weight mesogenic ligands. A thermodynamic model to account for the observed phase behavior is presented.
关键词： Polymer blends,Nanoparticles,Liquid crystal,Phase behavior,Thermodynamic model
更新于2025-09-23 15:21:01
-
The Phase Behavior in the Active Layer of Small Molecule Organic Photovoltaics: The State Diagram of p-DTS(FBTTh <sub/>2</sub> ) <sub/>2</sub> :PC <sub/>71</sub> BM
摘要： A comprehensive study was undertaken to obtain a more fundamental understanding of the phase behavior of the p-DTS(FBTTh2)2:PC71BM system, used in small molecule organic solar cells, with a strong focus on the amorphous phase and its influence on crystallinity. Three dedicated thermal protocols were used in combination with advanced thermal analysis, solid-state NMR, and wide angle X-ray diffraction. Rapid cooling, to avoid structure formation and gain insight in the amorphous phase, and slow cooling, to promote structure formation, were used as limiting cases to explain the intermediate behavior after device processing from solution. A complete state diagram was developed and the glass transition (Tg) - composition relationship was determined. In the case of slow cooling and the procedure used for device processing, the rapid crystallization of p-DTS(FBTTh2)2 leads to an enrichment of the amorphous phase in PC71BM, increasing its Tg and causing vitrification of the mixed amorphous phase before crystallization when the total amount of PC71BM exceeds 70 wt%. The common processing additive 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO) was found to lead to a lower p-DTS(FBTTh2)2 crystallinity and smaller average crystal size. More importantly, it acts as a strong plasticizer, lowering Tg significantly and thus reducing the morphological stability of the p-DTS(FBTTh2)2:PC71BM mixtures.
关键词： p-DTS(FBTTh2)2:PC71BM,glass transition temperature,wide angle X-ray diffraction,phase behavior,crystallinity,amorphous phase,small molecule organic photovoltaics,thermal analysis,solid-state NMR,1,8-diiodooctane (DIO)
更新于2025-09-23 15:19:57
-
Phase behavior of main-chain liquid crystalline polymer networks synthesized by alkyne–azide cycloaddition chemistry
摘要： Liquid crystalline polymer networks (LCNs) couple polymer chain organization to molecular ordering, the switching of which has been shown to impart stimuli-responsive properties, including actuation and one-way shape memory, to the networks. While LCNs have long been proposed as artificial muscles, recent reports have also suggested potential as dynamic biomaterial substrates. In contrast to many existing LCNs synthesized using hydrophobic spacers, this work investigates networks synthesized using more hydrophilic spacers to promote interaction with water. A challenge with such materials is liquid crystalline phases could be disrupted in hydrated networks. This work thus investigates the impact of polyether spacers and mesogen composition on the phase behavior of LCNs. Main-chain LCNs were synthesized using alkyne–azide cycloaddition ("click" chemistry), where two different mesogens (5yH and 5yMe) and a non-LC monomer (5yTe) were coupled with one of two different polyether spacers, poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(propylene glycol), and a crosslinker. The chemistry led to high gel fraction materials, the workup of which resulted in networks that displayed no difference in cellular toxicity due to leachable components compared to tissue culture plastic control. Calorimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, and X-ray scattering revealed the LC microstructure and temperature-responsive properties of the networks. The use of low molecular weight polyether spacers was found to prevent their crystallization within the LC network, and adjusting mesogen composition to enhance its LC phase stability allowed the use of spacers with larger molecular weights and pendant groups. Hydrated networks were found to rearrange their structure compared to dry networks, while maintaining their LC phases. Like other crosslinked LC materials, the networks display shape changes (actuation) that are tied to changes in LC ordering. The result is a new synthetic approach for polydomain networks that form stable LC phases that are tailorable using polyether spacers and may enable future application as hydrated, stimuli-responsive materials.
关键词： Liquid crystalline polymer networks,Phase behavior,Alkyne–azide cycloaddition,Stimuli-responsive materials,Polyether spacers
更新于2025-09-04 15:30:14