Incorporation of a block copolymer into a thin polymer film is observed to alter both the rate and mechanism by which the film dewets from an immiscible polymer substrate. Films with little or no copolymer dewet by classical nucleation and growth of circular holes, and the dewetting rate decreases with increasing copolymer concentration. Increasing the copolymer content at constant film thickne...

3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl-L-alanine (DOPA) is an unusual amino acid found in mussel adhesive proteins (MAPs) that is believed to lend adhesive characteristics to these proteins. In this paper, we describe a route for the conjugation of DOPA moieties to poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO) block copolymers. Hydroxyl end groups of PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymers we...

Incorporation of nanoparticles into self-assembled block copolymers has been explored as an efficient way for improving the mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and optical properties of materials at the nanometer scale. Recent computer simulations predict that the cooperative self-organization of nanoparticles and block copolymers should yield a wide variety of structures with well-co...

Synthesis of lithium-containing block copolymer nanoparticles via PISA and their use in the formation structured thin films.