Constructing a Comprehensive Nanopattern Library through Morphological Transitions of Block Copolymer Surface Micelles via Direct Solvent Immersion

Abstract This study establishes a comprehensive library of nanopatterns achievable by a single block copolymer (BCP), ranging from spheres to complex structures like split micelles, flower‐like clusters, toroids, disordered micelle arrays, and unspecified unique shapes. The ordinary nanostructures of polystyrene‐b‐poly(2‐vinylpyridine) (PS‐b‐P2VP) surface micelles deposited on a SiO_x surface undergo a unique morphology transformation when immersed directly in solvents. Investigating parameters such as immersion solvents, BCP molecular weight, substrate interactions, and temperature, this work reveals the influence of these parameters on the thermodynamics and kinetics governing the morphology transformation. Additionally, the practical application of BCP nanopattern templates for fabricating metal nanostructures through direct solvent immersion of surface micelles is demonstrated. This approach offers an efficient and effective method for producing diverse nanostructures, with the potential to be employed in nanolithography, catalysts, electronics, membranes, plasmonics, and photonics.