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Direct imaging and mesoscale modelling of phase transitions in a nanostructured fluid

Nature Materials volume 3, pages 886–891 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

The kinetics of phase transitions is essential for understanding pattern formation in structured fluids1,2. These fluids play a key role in the morphogenesis of biological cells1,3,4,5, and they are very common in pharmaceutical products and plastic materials2. Until now, it has not been possible to follow phase transitions in structured fluids experimentally in real time and with high spatial resolution. Previous work1,2 has relied on static images and indirect experimental evidence from spatially averaging scattering experiments. Simulating the processes with computer models is a further challenge because of the multiple time and length scales involved6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14. Our movies based on in situ scanning force microscopy show the time sequence of the elementary steps of a phase transition in a fluid film of block copolymer from the cylinder to the perforated lamella phase. The movies validate a versatile simulation model that gives physical insight into the nature of the process. Our approach provides a means of improving the study and understanding of pattern formation processes in nanostructured fluids. We expect a significant impact on nanotechnology where block copolymers serve as self-organized templates for the synthesis of inorganic nanostructured materials15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24.

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Figure 1: Schematic phase diagram of a thin film of polystyrene-block-polybutadiene-block-polystyrene block copolymer26.
Figure 2: Nucleation and growth of a cluster of perforations forming a perforated lamella phase.
Figure 3: Annihilation of remaining patches of parallel cylinders in a surrounding perforated lamella phase.
Figure 4: Area A of the small grains of the parallel-cylinder phase displayed in Fig. 3, plotted as a function of time t.

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Acknowledgements

We thank M. Hund and S. McGee for technical assistance. We acknowledge support from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 481), the Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, and the Stichting Nationale Computer Faciliteiten. R.M. acknowledges support from the VolkswagenStiftung.

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Author notes

  1. R. Magerle

    Present address: Insitut für Physik, Technische Universität Chemnitz, Chemnitz, D-09107, Germany

  2. A. Knoll

    Present address: IBM Research GmbH, Säumerstrasse 4, CH-8803, Rüschlikon, Switzerland

  3. A. V. Zvelindovsky

    Present address: Centre for Materials Science, Department of Physics, Astronomy & Mathematics, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE, United Kingdom

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physikalische Chemie II, Universität Bayreuth, Bayreuth, D-95440, Germany

    A. Knoll, A. Horvat, G. Krausch & R. Magerle

  2. Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, PO Box 9502, Leiden, 2300 RA, The Netherlands

    K. S. Lyakhova, G. J. A. Sevink & A. V. Zvelindovsky

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Knoll, A., Lyakhova, K., Horvat, A. et al. Direct imaging and mesoscale modelling of phase transitions in a nanostructured fluid. Nature Mater 3, 886–891 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat1258

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