Berlin 2018 – scientific programme

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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik

CPP 33: Poster Session III

CPP 33.32: Poster

Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 14:00–16:00, Poster C

Polymer structure formation in ITPC foils studied by SAXS — •Ann-Kathrin Grefe, Björn Kuttich, and Bernd Stühn — Institut für Festkörperphysik, Technische Universität Darmstadt

Nanopores obtained by etching of heavy ion irradiated polycarbonate foils present ideal systems for studying polymer structure formation under confinement. Their perfect cylindrical geometry, strict orientation perpendicular to the surface and random lateral distribution allow for an straightforward investigation via small angle x-ray scattering [1].

Polycarbonate foils with pore radii ranging from 17 nm to 59 nm are prepared and characterized via SAXS. The dependency of the pore radius and its polydispersity on the etching time are examined. Subsequent coating of the pores with 10 nm of SiO₂ via atomic layer deposition is shown to result in a well-defined and homogenous surface which does not alter the cylindrical form of the pores.

Two different polymer systems are introduced into the pores via melt infiltration: For a bulk cylinder forming PS-b-PI diblock copolymer in situ SAXS measurements confirm that a nearly complete filling of the pores with polymer can be achieved and a full profile fit can be used to directly monitor the filling kinetics. However, the scattering curves show no indications for a structure formation of the polymer inside the pores. For a PEG homopolymer with a semi-crystalline lamellar structure in bulk the filling process is too fast to be resolved via SAXS. But here changes in the scattering curves of pores with a diameter over 100 nm hint at a structure formation due to partial crystallization.

[1] M. Engel et al., Appl Phys A 97, 99-108 (2009)