|
The self-assembly of nanoparticle–copolymer films confined between two polymer-grafted
surfaces is studied by using self-consistent field and density functional theories.
With increasing particle concentration, the film undergoes a series of transitions
including hexagonal, lamellar, hexagonal-lamellar, double-core hexagonal and
hexagonal-square structures. This behavior can be explained by the competition
between the bulk phase behavior of the mixture, the wetting influence of polymer
brushes and the steric packing effect of particles. The results provide an effective
way to control the formation of stable highly-ordered microstructures within the
film.
|
