Abstract
The direct contact of ultrathin polymer films with a solid substrate may result in thin film rupture caused by dewetting. With crystallisable polymers such as polyethyleneoxide (PEO), molecular self-assembly into partial ordered lamella structures is studied as an additional source of pattern formation. Morphological features in ultrathin PEO films (thickness < 10 nm) result from an interplay between dewetting patterns and diffusion limited growth pattern of ordered lamella growing within the dewetting areas. Besides structure formation of hydrophilic PEO molecules, n-alkylterminated (hydrophobic) PEO oligomers are investigated with respect to self-organization in ultrathin films. Morphological features characteristic for pure PEO are not changed by the presence of the n-alkylgroups.
Highlights
IntroductionThe linear molecular structure of polyethyleneoxide (PEO) is very simple (see Figure 1A)
The linear molecular structure of polyethyleneoxide (PEO) is very simpleit offers a number of important physicochemical properties
In thin film preparation, dewetting is often regarded as an undesired effect
Summary
The linear molecular structure of polyethyleneoxide (PEO) is very simple (see Figure 1A). It offers a number of important physicochemical properties. Perhaps the most important property is the ability of PEO layers to avoid non-specific protein adsorption on surfaces [1]. This behavior is generally seen as a consequence of the hydrogen bonding between ethyleneoxide (EO) segments and surrounding water molecules which induces local order at the molecular interface [2].
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