Constructing robust 3-dimensionally conformal micropatterns: vulcanization of honeycomb structured polymeric ?lms
writer：Lei Li, Yawen Zhong, Jianliang Gong, Jian Li, Caikang Chen, Birong Zeng, Zhi Ma
keywords：breath figure
source：期刊
Issue time：2010年
Here, we present the static breath ?gure process for constructing 3-dimensionally conformal microporous ?lms on nonplanar substrates, with a commercially available triblock polymer, polystyrene-b-polyisoprene-b-polystyrene. The polymer can cover the surface of nonplanar substrates with ordered porous morphology despite the sharp corners and irregular shapes, which was ascribed to the ?uid-like character of the matrix. In the subsequent vulcanization, the micro-patterned polymer ?lms were effectively crosslinked and became self-supported even after removing the sacri?cial templates. The 3D structures became resistant to a wide range of organic solvents and thermally stable up to 350 C, an increase of more than 300 K as compared to the un-crosslinked ?lms. The surface features on the 3D structures along the direction of the descending solvent level were investigated in detail by scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, the versatility of this patterning method was also demonstrated by forming hierarchical micro-structures on bas-relief Si substrates with different patterns. Particularly, hydroxy groups were introduced into another commercially available triblock polymer, polystyrene-b-polybutadiene-b-polystyrene by hydroboration. The functionalized 3D micro-patterns feasible for site-directed grafting were created by the hydroxyl-containing polymers.