Abstract

Block copolymer melts are capable of controlling the
location of nanoparticles due to their ability to self-assemble into ordered
nanoscopic structures. Thin films offer additional control due to the
confinement and surface selectivity. Systematic mesoscopic simulations
are used to study the phase behavior of block copolymer nanocomposites
under confinement, showing that nanoparticles can modify the phase
behavior and orientation of block copolymers, while segregating toward
specific regions of the block copolymer structure. Furthermore, nanoparticles
are found located in specific features of the block copolymer
morphology. Additionally, nanoparticles can alleviate the frustration and
induce phase transitions away from the perforated lamellar morphology.