Mapping of carbon nanotubes in the polystyrene domains of a polystyrene-b-polyisoprene-b-polystyrene block copolymer matrix using electrostatic force microscopy

Abstract

Electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) was used to localize and characterize conducting nanofillers inside the domains of a block copolymer matrix. The confinement of carbon nanotubes into polystyrene-b-polyisoprene-b-polystyrene block copolymer (SIS) matrix was investigated. The EFM technique provided information with unprecedented imaging of octadecylamine functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes, sequestered in the self-assembled lamellar polystyrene domains of the SIS block copolymer matrix.