Mesoscopic surface patterns formed by block copolymer micelles

The lateral organization of block copolymer micelles into monolayers is investigated using transmission electron microscopy. Depending on the relative block length and volume fraction, block copolymers organize into ordered spherical, stripe, and inverse spherical domains. Phase structure and phase kinetics can be also adjusted by loading the micelles with a functional inorganic component. The stability and orientation of these laterally segregated domains is attributed to its evolution from a micellar monolayer. The domain surfaces can be selectively functionalized either by chemical reactions or adsorption, giving access to organized polarity patterns or catalysts arrays on the length scale of some nanometers. Micellar layers adsorbed onto the first layer show reorganized surface structures, which is known for low molecular weight adsorption layers, but has not been described for colloidal structures.