Effects of solvent vapor pressure and spin-coating speed on morphology of thin polymer blend films

Albert E. Kamanyi Jr.; Wilfred Ngwa; Weili Luo; Wolfgang Grill

doi:10.1117/12.776274

21 April 2008 Effects of solvent vapor pressure and spin-coating speed on morphology of thin polymer blend films

Albert E. Kamanyi Jr., Wilfred Ngwa, Weili Luo, Wolfgang Grill

Proceedings Volume 6935, Health Monitoring of Structural and Biological Systems 2008; 69351X (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.776274
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2008, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Thin films of polystyrene (PS)/polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) blends were made by casting from solutions with solvents of varying vapor pressure. Solvents used were chloroform, toluene and dichloromethane. Spin coating was carried out at varying speeds yielding films of different thickness. Atomic force microscopy and phase-sensitive acoustic microscopy were used to investigate the effects of spin speed and solvent vapor pressure on morphology. The domains formed due to lateral phase separation proved to be strongly influenced by vapor pressure with completely different surface structures for the three solvents. The films cast from high vapor pressure solutions displayed an increased surface roughness. Surface morphology is explained by the relative solubility in the different solvents, surface affinity, spin speed and viscosity.

Citation Download Citation

Albert E. Kamanyi Jr., Wilfred Ngwa, Weili Luo, and Wolfgang Grill "Effects of solvent vapor pressure and spin-coating speed on morphology of thin polymer blend films", Proc. SPIE 6935, Health Monitoring of Structural and Biological Systems 2008, 69351X (21 April 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.776274

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