Block Copolymer Nanocomposites under Confinement: Effect on Frustrated Phases

Block copolymer melts are capable of controlling thelocation ofnanoparticles due to their ability to self-assemble into ordered nanoscopicstructures. Thin films offer additional control due to the confinementand surface selectivity. Systematic mesoscopic simulations are usedto study the phase behavior of block copolymer nanocomposites underconfinement, showing that nanoparticles can modify the phase behaviorand orientation of block copolymers, while segregating toward specificregions of the block copolymer structure. Furthermore, nanoparticlesare found located in specific features of the block copolymer morphology.Additionally, nanoparticles can alleviate the frustration and inducephase transitions away from the perforated lamellar morphology.

Automated summary

Block copolymer melts can control the location of nanoparticles through self-assembly into ordered nanoscopic structures, and thin films provide additional control due to confinement and surface selectivity. Mesoscopic simulations show that nanoparticles can modify the phase behavior and orientation of block copolymer nanocomposites under confinement, segregating towards specific regions of the block copolymer structure. Moreover, nanoparticles are found located in specific features of the block copolymer morphology and can induce phase transitions away from the perforated lamellar morphology.