Block Copolymer Vertical Alignment Without Substrate Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Block copolymers face challenges in achieving vertical alignment on various substrates without pre-treatment, and existing methods for controlling nanostructured formation are limited in efficiency and applicability.
Innovation Solution
A block copolymer with specific molecular weight and volume fraction ratios of its components, allowing for phase separation and vertical alignment on both hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces through thermal annealing, without the need for conventional substrate treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional substrate treatment methods are used to achieve vertical alignment, then alignment control is improved, but device complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the substrate treatment step from the conventional process by designing a block copolymer with built-in vertical alignment capability through its molecular structure (specific volume fraction ratio and chemical composition), eliminating the need for separate substrate treatment processes
Solution Approach 2:
The block copolymer is designed to self-align vertically through its inherent molecular properties (volume fraction ratio and chemical structure) without requiring external substrate treatment, enabling the material to serve its own alignment function
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple substrate treatment methods are applied to achieve vertical alignment on different surfaces, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The block copolymer is designed with universal vertical alignment capability that functions across different substrate types (hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces) through its inherent molecular structure, making the material adaptable to various substrates without requiring substrate-specific treatment protocols
3Manufacturing precision
If precise control of nanostructure formation is achieved through conventional methods, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes time-consuming conventional treatment steps from the process by incorporating vertical alignment functionality directly into the block copolymer molecular structure, achieving precise nanostructure control without extended processing times
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific molecular parameters of the block copolymer (volume fraction ratio and chemical composition) to inherently provide vertical alignment and precise nanostructure formation, eliminating the need for time-consuming process parameter adjustments
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The block copolymer exhibits excellent self-assembling and phase separation properties, enabling vertical alignment on diverse surfaces and efficient nanostructure formation, as confirmed by GISAXS and XRD analyses.
Implementation Method 1
The block copolymers may be phase-separated, since they comprise the two or more polymeric chains linked to each other via covalent bonds. In the present application, since the block copolymer satisfies at least one parameter as described below, the phase-separation can be very effectively occurred, and therefore it can form a nano-scaled structure by a microphase separation.
Implementation Method 2
Further, in an additional embodiment, the vertical alignment may be accomplished with respect to a large area in a short time by a thermal annealing.
Implementation Method 3
Block copolymers are capable of forming periodically aligned structure such as the sphere, the cylinder or the lamella through phase separations. Sizes of domains of the structures formed by the self assemblies of block copolymers may be adjusted in a wide range
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application provides the block copolymers and their application. The present application may provide the block copolymers that have excellent self assembling and phase separation properties and therefore that can be effectively used in various applications. The present application may also provide applications of the block copolymers.