Phase separation of thin-film polymer mixtures under in-plane electric fields
Journal
Physical Review E - Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
Journal Volume
81
Journal Issue
6
Date Issued
2010
Author(s)
Abstract
Phase-separation dynamics of polymer thin-film mixtures of polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) are observed while an in-plane electric field is applied, instead of the out-of-plane fields usually employed previously. The phase separation is accompanied by the formation of PS dewetting holes at zero or weak fields. The dewetting velocity at 0.25μm/min is a few times slower than that seen in regular bilayer dewetting. With the increasing of the field strength, we observe the formation of PS droplets in PMMA matrix, a reversal from zero- or low-field conditions. The PS dewetting holes are also suppressed. At further increased fields, PS droplets quickly penetrate up to the top of the PMMA matrix, leading to smaller and more irregular final PS droplets. This is manifested in the dramatic decrease in the growth exponent of the droplet size L from L∼ t1.5 to L∼ t0.1. These morphology changes are explained by the electrostatic energy resulted from the PS and PMMA dielectric contrast. © 2010 The American Physical Society.
SDGs
Type
journal article