Dresden 2006 – scientific programme

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DS: Dünne Schichten

DS 14: Growth of thin films

DS 14.4: Talk

Wednesday, March 29, 2006, 14:45–15:00, GER 38

Control of pattern formation in ultrathin polyethyleneoxide films — •Hans-Georg Braun and Evelyn Meyer — Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research / Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials, D-01069 Dresden, Hohe Strasse 6

Ultrathin polymerfilms (thickness < 5 nm) of crystallisable polymers as for example polyethyleneoxide (PEO) can crystallize in highly branched lamellae patterns which result from a diffusion controlled growth process. We demonstrate the control of the nucleation process for dendritic growth by surface defects such as surface steps, edges or rims resulting from thin film dewetting and demonstrate the connection between dewetting structures and crystallization behaviour (1). By surface heterogenization we were able to control the initial dewetting process of thin PEO films and to generate micropatterned amorphous films. The amorphous regions could be nucleated to start dendritic growth by AFM contact. Dendritic growth within confined geometries strongly influences the growth pattern through change of the diffusion conditions inside the lateral confined layers. The dendritic PEO films can act as substrates for electron beam lithography because the material crosslinkes during irradiation and becomes permanently anchored to the surface. 1) E. Meyer, H.-G. Braun J.Phys:Condens. Matter 17 (2005) S623-635