The mixed adsorption layers of tetramethylthiourea and a cationic detergent formed at electrode surface in NaClO4 (1 mol dm) are described. The systems were characterized by the measurement of differential capacity, zero charge potential, and surface tension at this potential. The data were analyzed to obtain the surface pressure and relative surface excess of tetramethylthoiurea as a function ...

A theoretical description of the lamellar-in-lamellar self-assembly of binary A-b-(B-b-A)(m)-b-B-b-A multiblock copolymers in the strong segregation limit is presented. The essential difference between this binary multiblock system and the previously considered C-b-(B-b-A)(m)-b-B-b-C ternary multiblock copolymer system is discussed. Considering the situation with long end blocks, the free energ...

Pattern generation of well-controlled block copolymers (BCPs) with a high Flory-Huggins interaction parameter (χ) is important for applications in sub-20 nm nanolithography. We used mixed solvents of dimethylformamide (DMF) and toluene to control the morphology as well as the time to achieve the targeted morphology via self-assembly of BCPs. By precisely controlling the volume ratio of DMF and ...

Different types of lamellar-within-lamellar structure formations in A-b-(B-b-A)(n)-b-C terpolymer melts, with a volume fraction of components A, B, and C in the ratio of 1:1:2, are analyzed in the strong segregation limit using a simple theoretical approach. We consider the lamellar, parallel lamellar-within-lamellar, and perpendicular lamellar-within-lamellar self-assembled states. The influen...

The phase behavior of a melt of monodisperse rod-coil diblocks is studied. We derive a Landau free energy functional for both a compositional and a nematic order parameter. The excluded volume interaction between the rod blocks is modeled by an attractive Maier-Saupe interaction. The incompatibility between rodand coil blocks is modeled by the usual Flory-Huggins interaction. For large volume f...

Monomolecular films of polymers with a hydrophobic side group show an experimental pressure-surface equation of state which often depends on the previous history of the film. We attempt to interpret this behaviour in terms of entanglement points where two chains cross over. Because of the side groups, these entanglements are essentially fixed and the system is expected to behave like a gel; we ...

The hydrophilicity of pedal mucus trails deposited by marine snails influences the settlement of other organisms and can potentially influence the trailing and homing mechanisms of terrestrial snails. The composition of pedal mucus deposited as a trail on a solid substrate by the giant African land snail (Achatina marginata) has been probed non-invasively using infrared ellipsometry. The primar...

In article number 2009626, Paola Lova, Davide Comoretto, Heba Megahd propose general guidelines for designing multi-layered colorimetric vapor sensors using commodity polymers. The response time of the nano-structured is based on analyte diffusion, which can be controlled through engineering layers, their thickness, and free volume. These brilliantly colored films offer label-free selectivity e...