Surface Morphological Evolution of Ultrathin P4VP Films and Generation of Ordered Patterns on Graphite

The spin-coated thin-film morphology of poly(4-vinylpyridine) has been studied by AFM; the dark lines or disks (circular holes) in the AFM height images correspond to the depressed regions. An epitaxy-like ‘‘nano-trench’’ pattern was observed in the noncrystalline polymer film deposited on the crystalline graphite substrate. The transition from surface-templated to isotropic dewetting occurs during 3 nm of the film thickness increase. This study presents an example of ordered nanopatterns emerging from the chaotic spin-coating process. The well-defined ‘‘nano-trench’’ morphology offers an opportunity for the study of the nanoconfinement effect and provides a unique means for surface patterning and nanolithography.