Russian scientists have synthesized triblock thermopolymers for use in nanomaterials. This was reported by the press service of Moscow State University.
Some polymers can self-assemble into complex structures under the influence of solvents of selected selectivity. In other words, polymer molecules “stick together” to an object of a certain shape with a microstructure. Such microparts can be used, for example, as photolithographic masks for chip fabrication.
Moscow State University specialists under the guidance of Apostolos Avgeropoulos, using anionic polymerization there is ABC and BAC type triblock terpolymers composed of polystyrene (A), polybutadiene (B) and polydimethylsiloxane (C). The authors were able to change the microstructure of such systems by choosing the molecular weights and ratios between the blocks. The self-assembly process was based on the influence of the composition of macromolecules, the various interactions between the blocks and the order of the blocks in the formed structures.
The authors hope their invention will find application in photolithography and other nanotechnological processes.
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