Liquid Crystalline Semifluorinated Block Copolymers: Probing Surface and Bulk Properties

9972863在这项拟议的研究中，将对一系列半氟化(SF)液晶线圈嵌段共聚物的表面和本体性质进行研究。虽然作为介晶结构的非传统，半氟化基团不仅提供了液晶特性，而且还提供了不可重构的低能表面(接触角与水120度)。将考察液晶性和微相分离之间的竞争。计划中的研究将涉及一个与详细结构分析紧密结合的合成计划，包括使用近边X射线吸收精细结构(NEXAFS)分析来探测表面区域的分子水平细节。最后，选择用于生产目标SF侧基的适当保护基团化学将允许使用化学放大抗蚀剂化学对这些聚合物进行表面图案化。使用光刻来指导自组装过程将被作为控制表面能量的手段和作为影响LC相和微结构自组织的可能手段来研究。对这些新型氟化聚四氟乙烯类材料的研究为创造具有表面结构的分子水平控制的新聚合物提供了可能性。这些聚合物具有广泛的应用前景，从飞机防冰结构的不粘涂层到生物医学设备。对这些氟化聚合物的研究也将有助于更好地理解用于先进微电子技术的光致抗蚀剂。

9972863OberIn the proposed research, a study of the surface and bulk properties of a series of semifluorinated (SF) LC-coil block copolymers will be undertaken. While unconventional as mesogenic structures, semifluorinated groups provide not only liquid crystalline character but also non-reconstructing, low energy surfaces (contact angles vs. water 120 degrees). The competition between liquid crystallinity and microphase separation will be examined. The planned research will involve a synthetic program closely coupled to detailed structural analysis, including the use of near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) analyses to probe molecular level details of the surface region. Finally, the choice of appropriate protecting group chemistry used for producing the target SF side groups will permit the surface patterning of these polymers with chemically amplified resist chemistry. The use of lithography to direct the self-assembly process will be examined both as means of controlling surface energy and explored as a possible means of influencing self-organization of the LC phases and the microstructure.Studies of these novel fluorinated, Teflon-like materials offer the possibility of creating new polymers with molecular level control of surface structure. These polymers have prospects in applications ranging from non-stick coatings for anti-icing structures on aircraft to biomedical devices. Examination of these fluorinated polymers will also lead to a better understanding of photoresists for advanced microelectronics.