Synthesis of carboxylic acid-functionalized polymethacrylate-b-polystyrene as an Ag ion-loadable block copolymer thin film template

We report the synthesis of thiopropionic acid-functionalized polymethacrylate-b-polystyrene (PMATA-b-PS) as a template for patterning Ag nanoarrays. Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of silyl-protected propagyl methacrylate followed by chain extension with styrene produced a block copolymer precursor. Deprotection of the trimethylsilyl group and subsequent thiol-yne reaction afforded the target, PMATA-b-PS. While the entire series of the precursor was in the disordered phase, microphase separated morphologies were identified from PMATA-b-PS, indicating an increased interaction parameter (chi) as a result of introducing the acid groups. As a preliminary result, we show that an Ag nanoparticle array can be fabricated by selectively associating Ag+ ions to the PMATA cylinders in the thin film of PMATA-b-PS and removing the organic polymer layer by oxygen plasma treatment.

Automated summary

In this study, a functional block copolymer PMATA-b-PS was synthesized and used as a template for patterning Ag nanoarrays. The experiment successfully demonstrated the fabrication of Ag nanoparticle arrays through selective association with PMATA cylinders and removal of the organic polymer layer.