Departmental Colloquium

X-ray Scattering Studies of Nanostructured Polymer Films

Detlef M.Smilgies
Staff Scientist, CHESS Cornell Synchrotron

Time
Wed. September 28, 2005     1:00 PM     Stirling C

Abstract

Self-assembled nanostructured polymer films currently receive a lot of attention as possible templates or scaffolds for devices based on nanomaterials. Such devices could be, for example, biosensors, solar cells, or light-emitting diodes. Furthermore nanostructured films by themselves play a role as biocompatible coatings for medical implants, antireflective coatings for high-quality optics and solar cells, as well as antifowling coatings protecting marine vessels. For coatings the lateral scale ranges from square centimeters to many square meters, and hence self-assembly is the only route for a cost-efficient preparation. Small-angle x-ray scattering under grazing incidence (GISAXS) offers a unique opportunity to study nanostructured films. Their structure can be characterized in a non-destructive way and under in-situ conditions. Moreover, real-time studies on the order of seconds allow to probe the kinetics of film self-organization. Hence GISAXS complements traditional high-resolution imaging techniques such as electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. In my talk selected examples will be given illustrating the capabilities of the GISAXS technique applied to thin films of block copolymers and nanocomposites.

Refreshments will be available after the talk.

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