Work

Direct Visualization of Random Crystallization and Melting in Arrays of Nanometer-Size Polymer Crystals

Year: 2001

Type: article

Abstract: Using tapping mode atomic force microscopy, we visualized in direct space and time resolved the changes in viscoelastic properties during crystallization and melting of polyethyleneoxide in 12 nm spheres of a block copolymer mesophase. All spheres crystallized individually and independently, randomly distributed sphere by sphere. Melting of the confined crystals also proceeded in a stochastic manner. Not all spheres melted at the same temperature, indicating different degrees of order of the individual nanometer-size polymer crystals. The independence of the spheres opens the possibility to manipulate material properties of surfaces at the nanometer scale.

Source: Physical Review Letters

DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.87.226101

Authors: Günter Reiter, Gilles Castelein, Jens-Uwe Sommer, Andreas Röttele, Thomas Thurn-Albrecht

Institutions: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, University of Freiburg

Language: English

Topic: Polymer crystallization and properties

Subfield: Polymers and Plastics

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2076351537

FWCI: 12.61

Cites: 31

Cited by: 200

Related to: 10