Advanced Materials, Vol.8, No.8, 660-662, 1996
Microstructure of block copolymer reinforced interfaces observed with frictional force microscopy
The microstructure of block copolymer-reinforced interfaces of homopolymers has been studied by frictional force microscopy (FFM). The FFM micrograph in the Figure shows details, e.g., lamellar branching, of a poly(styrene)/poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS/PVP) homopolymer interface reinforced with a PVP-PS-PVP triblock copolymer. An explanation for the need to ''develop'' the FFM image is proposed and the advantages of FFM over TEM are discussed.