85b Functional Thin Film Coatings Based on Ion-Containing Block Copolymers

Robert E. Cohen, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139

We have successfully created uniform monolayers and patterned thin films of block copolymer micelles on substrates using spin coating and microcontact printing techniques. Polystyrene/polyacrylic acid block copolymers of varying molecular weight and composition have been the focus of our studies to date. We have been able to load selectively a wide variety of metal ions into the micelle cores, either in advance of the patterning or after the thin film deposition. Each metal-cation-neutralized polyacrylic acid micelle core provides a specified locus for inorganic nanocluster synthesis. In this way we have been able to create 2-D patterned arrays of catalyst particles for the synthesis of multiwall carbon nanotubes and zinc oxide nanowires. These catalytic applications will be demonstrated and discussed.