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

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.