2017/08/25 by Leopoldo R. Gómez, Gómez, Leopoldo R., Nicolás A. García +5
Engineering · Materials Science · #Block Copolymer Self-Assembly #FOS: Physical sciences #Fluid Dynamics and Thin Films #Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft) #Solidification and crystal growth phenomena
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1708.07631
openalex publication_date 2017/08/25 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The order-disorder transition of a sphere-forming block copolymer thin film\nwas numerically studied through a Cahn-Hilliard model. Simulations show that\nthe fundamental mechanisms of pattern formation are spinodal decomposition and\nnucleation and growth. The range of validity of each relaxation process is\ncontrolled by the spinodal and order-disorder temperatures. The initial stages\nof spinodal decomposition are well-approximated by a linear analysis of the\nevolution equation of the system. In the metastable region, the critical size\nfor nucleation diverges upon approaching the order-disorder transition, and\nreduces to the size of a single domain as the spinodal is approached. Grain\nboundaries and topological defects inhibit the formation of superheated phases\nabove the order-disorder temperature. The numerical results are in good\nqualitative agreement with experimental data on sphere-forming diblock\ncopolymer thin films.\n