Macromolecule - substrate interactions in directed self-assembly: from tailored block copolymers with polyferrocenylsilanes towards functional nanoplatforms

The work described in this thesis aimed at gaining a better understanding of factors involved in directed self-assembly of block copolymer microdomains. For many possible applications of block copolymers, such as high density data storage, the positional control of microdomains is crucial. Understanding the mechanisms governing the ordering in phase separated block copolymers is therefore fundamental for designing usable systems. In this study, organicorganometallic block copolymers were used, in which the organometallic block was poly(ferrocenylsilane) (PFS). The presence of iron in the backbone of these polymers imparts properties such as etch resistance or catalytic activity to the polymers. Therefore, PFS containing block copolymers can directly be used as nanolithographic templates or for the fabrication of a catalytic platform of nanosized domains. Two different approaches were explored and are described in this thesis. The first approach involved the study of the effect of chemical and topographical modifications of a substrate on the morphology of one particular type of diblock copolymer. The second method involved the study of polymersubstrate interactions in diblock copolymers with different chemistry.