Fluorinated Styrene Block Copolymer Phase Separation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques face challenges in further improving phase separation performance for structures formed by self-organization of block copolymers, particularly with styrene and methyl methacrylate blocks, without requiring new monomers or reducing molecular weight, which affects the formation of finer patterns and nanostructures.
Innovation Solution
A resin composition and method using a block copolymer with styrene and methyl methacrylate blocks, where the styrene units are partially substituted with hydrophobic functional groups, enhancing the hydrophobic difference and interaction parameter, thereby improving phase separation performance without the need for new monomers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the molecular weight of block copolymers is increased to form structures of larger period, then the period of the structure increases, but the manufacturing complexity and difficulty of controlling phase separation pattern increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the block copolymer by incorporating fluorinated styrene units, which alters the interaction parameter χ and enables control of phase separation behavior without relying solely on molecular weight adjustments. This allows period control through compositional parameters rather than just molecular weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite block copolymer structure combining fluorinated styrene blocks with methyl methacrylate blocks, creating a multi-component system with tailored phase separation properties. The fluorinated styrene-methyl methacrylate combination provides enhanced control over phase separation and structure formation.
2Reliability
If a block copolymer with larger interaction parameter is used to improve phase separation performance, then phase separation performance improves, but new monomers and synthesis methods are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the styrene unit by introducing fluorine atoms at specific positions (ortho and/or para positions), which changes the interaction parameter χ of the block copolymer. This chemical modification approach allows tuning of phase separation performance using derivatives of conventional monomers rather than requiring entirely new monomer systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluorine atoms act as intermediary groups that mediate the interaction between styrene and methyl methacrylate blocks, enhancing the phase separation performance by increasing the interaction parameter χ without requiring completely new monomer chemistry.
3Manufacturing precision
If graphoepitaxy or chemical epitaxy processes are used to control phase separation pattern, then position control and orientation control are achieved, but the manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the block copolymer to self-organize into desired patterns through its inherent phase separation behavior modified by fluorinated styrene units. The material's own chemical properties drive the self-assembly process, reducing the need for external guiding structures or complex substrate treatments required in graphoepitaxy and chemical epitaxy methods.
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 approach allows for enhanced phase separation performance, enabling the formation of stable phase-separated structures with controlled nanostructures, such as lamella structures, without requiring new monomers, thus addressing the limitations of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
the block copolymer forms a structure having a regular periodic structure by the phase separation
Implementation Method 2
a technique for forming finer patterns by utilizing a phase-separated structure formed by the self-organization of the block copolymers
Implementation Method 3
partially substituted with a constituent unit represented by the following General Formula (c1)... Rc0 is a hydrophobic functional group... enhancing the hydrophobic difference and interaction parameter
Data Source
AI summary
A resin composition for forming a phase-separated structure includes a block copolymer having a block (b1) formed of a repeating structure of styrene units, the block (b1) being partially substituted with a constituent unit represented by the following General Formula (c1) and a block (b2) having a repeating structure of methyl methacrylate units. In the formula, R is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and Rc0 is a hydrophobic functional group