Browsing by Author "Chi, Mu-Huan"

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Competition Between Effects of Pore Sizes and Annealing Solvents on the Morphology Manipulation of 3D Block Copolymer Nanostructures Using Anodic Aluminum Oxide Templates
(2016-06)
Chu, Chiang-Jui
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Chung, Pei-Yun
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Chu, Chien-Wei
;
Cheng, Ming-Hsiang
;
Chi, Mu-Huan
In this work, the morphologies of polystyrene-block-polydimethylsiloxane (PS-b-PDMS) nanostructures using solvent-induced wetting in the nanopores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates are investigated. AAO templates with three different pore sizes (approximate to 200, approximate to 60, and approximate to 30 nm) are used in this work to differentiate the effect of confinement and annealing solvents. Different from the results by the traditional wetting methods, two major effects are identified in affecting the morphologies. At larger pore sizes, the morphologies of the nanostructures are mainly affected by the annealing solvent. At smaller pore sizes, however, the morphologies are mainly controlled by the confinement effect (pore sizes).
Confinement Effects on the Optical Properties and Chain Conformations of Poly(9,9-di-n-octylfluorene-alt-benzothiadiazole) Nanotubes
(2016-09)
Chu, Chien-Wei
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Jeng, Kai-Sheng
;
Chi, Mu-Huan
;
Tsai, Chia-Chan
;
Cheng, Ming-Hsiang
Although many fabrication methods of conjugated polymer nanostructures have been developed, the effects of confinement on the morphologies, chain conformations, and optical properties of conjugated polymers are still not well understood. In this work, poly(9,9-di-n-octylfluorene-alt-benzothiadiazole) (F8BT), a light-emitting conjugated polymer, is used to fabricate nanotubes by a solution wetting method using anodic aluminum oxide templates. The property changes under the nanoscale confinement have been investigated. The morphologies of F8BT nanostructures are characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and laser scanning confocal microscope. The data show the hollow morphologies and no or low crystallinity of the nanostructures. The optical properties are also measured using UV-vis absorption, photoluminescence, and confocal Raman spectroscopy. The spectroscopy data indicate that F8BT polymer chains have less intermolecular interactions and coplanarity under the confinement effect.
Controlled self-assemblies of polystyrene-block-polydimethylsiloxane micelles in cylindrical confinement through a micelle solution wetting method and Rayleigh-instability-driven transformation
(2017-08-28)
Ko, Hao-Wen
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Higuchi, Takeshi
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Chang, Chun-Wei
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Cheng, Ming-Hsiang
;
Isono, Komei
Block copolymer micelles have been extensively discussed for many decades because of their applications, such as lithography and drug delivery. However, controlling the morphologies of nanostructure assembly using block copolymer micelles as building elements remains a great challenge. In this work, we developed a novel route to induce micelle assembly in confined geometries. Polystyrene-block-polydimethylsiloxane (PS-b-PDMS) micelle solutions were used to prepare micelle nanostructures, and the critical parameters affecting the morphologies were determined. Micelle nanorods, micelle nanospheres, and multi-component nanopeapods were prepared by wetting anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates with micelle solutions. Rayleigh-instability-driven transformation was discovered to play an important role in controlling the morphologies of the micelle nanostructures. This study not only proposes a versatile approach to preparing block copolymer micelle nanostructures, but it also provides deeper insight into the controlling factors of block copolymer micelle morphologies in cylindrical confinement.
Curved polymer nanodiscs by wetting nanopores of anodic aluminum oxide templates with polymer nanospheres
(2014)
Chi, Mu-Huan
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Kao, Yi-Huei
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Wei, Tzu-Hui
;
Lee, Chih-Wei
;
Chen, Jiun-Tai
Although nanostructures with diverse morphologies have been fabricated, it is still a great challenge to prepare anisotropic two-dimensional (2-D) nanostructures, especially non-planar disc-like nanostructures. In this work, we develop a simple method to prepare curved polymer nanodiscs with regular sizes by wetting polymer nanospheres in the nanopores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates. Polystyrene (PS) nanospheres are first fabricated by using a non-solvent-assisted template wetting method. By annealing the PS nanospheres in the nanopores of AAO templates, curved PS nanodiscs can be produced. The length and morphology of the curved PS nanodiscs can be controlled by the wetting conditions such as the annealing temperatures and times. For some stacked nanospheres, the annealing process can result in the formation of helix-like nanostructures. To demonstrate the universality of this work, this approach is also applied to poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), another common polymer, and similar results are obtained.
Dewetting of polymer thin films on modified curved surfaces: preparation of polymer nanoparticles with asymmetric shapes by anodic aluminum oxide templates
(2018-04-21)
Liu, Chih-Ting
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Tsai, Chia-Chan
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Chu, Chien-Wei
;
Chi, Mu-Huan
;
Chung, Pei-Yun
We study the dewetting behaviors of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) thin films coated in the cylindrical nanopores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates by thermal annealing. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of n-octadecyltrichlorosilane (ODTS) are introduced to modify the pore surfaces of the AAO templates to induce the dewetting process. By using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the dewetting-induced morphology transformation from the PMMA thin films to PMMA nanoparticles with asymmetric shapes can be observed. The sizes of the PMMA nanoparticles can be controlled by the original PMMA solution concentrations. The dewetting phenomena on the modified nanopores are explained by taking into account the excess intermolecular interaction free energy (AG). This work opens a new possibility for creating polymer nanoparticles with asymmetric shapes in confined geometries.
Dewetting of Swollen Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Films during Spin-Coating Processes: Implications for Device Fabrication
(2018-05-01)
Chung, Pei-Yun
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Cheng, Ming-Hsiang
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Tseng, Hsiao-Fan
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Liu, Chih-Ting
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Chiu, Tang-Yao
Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) films have been usually prepared by spin-coating for the applications of electronic devices such as organic photovoltaic devices (OPV) and organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). The wetting and dewetting behaviors of the swollen P3HT films during the spin-coating processes, however, are still poorly understood. In this work, we investigate the dewetting behaviors of P3HT thin films and the formation of ring structures during the spin-coating process by controlling the spin rates and the solution temperatures. Quantitative studies of the dewetting phenomena are conducted by measuring the sizes of the ring structures of the dewetting patterns. It is observed that the sizes of the ring structures are larger at lower spin rates because of the longer dewetting times allowed during the spin-coating processes. More importantly, the dewetting behaviors of the P3HT films are discovered to be affected by the formation of the P3HT nanowhiskers (nanowires). This work offers a deeper understanding of the dewetting behaviors of swollen P3HT films during the spin-coating processes, which is crucial for the development of P3HT-based optoelectronic devices.
Effects of Thermal Annealing and Solvent Annealing on the Morphologies and Properties of Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Nanowires
(2015-01-01)
Fu, Chuan-Min
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Jeng, Kai-Sheng
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Li, Yu-Hsun
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Hsu, Yuan-Chen
;
Chi, Mu-Huan
In recent years, poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) nanowires have attracted great interest because of their unique physical and electronic properties. The annealing effects on the properties and morphologies of P3HT nanowires, however, are still not fully understood. In this work, the effects of thermal annealing and solvent annealing on the morphologies and crystallinities of P3HT nanowires prepared by the whisker method are studied. P3HT is first dissolved in heated p-xylene, followed by a cooling process to room temperature, and P3HT nanowires are formed by self-assembly. The crystallinities of the P3HT nanowires are observed to increase by both thermal annealing and solvent annealing, as confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. The device performances of organic field-effect transistors based on the annealed nanowires are also examined. After annealing, an enhancement of the charge mobility by one order is observed.
Fabrication of Core-Shell Polymer Nanospheres in the Nanopores of Anodic Aluminum Oxide Templates Using Polymer Blend Solutions
(2015-07-01)
Ko, Hao-Wen
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Chi, Mu-Huan
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Chang, Chun-Wei
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Chu, Chien-Wei
;
Luo, Ke-Hsuan
Spherical core-shell structures have been widely investigated in recent years, and they can be used for various applications, such as drug delivery, biological labeling, and batteries. Although many methods have been developed to prepare core-shell structures, it is still a great challenge to fabricate core-shell structures in the nanoscale with well-controlled morphologies and sizes. In this work, we present a simple method to fabricate core-shell polymer nanospheres consisting of polystyrene (PS) cores and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) shells. The nanostructures are prepared by a solution-based template wetting method. After the nanopores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates are wetted sequentially by PS/PMMA blend solutions and water, the core-shell nanostructures can be formed. The formation process is related to the Rayleigh-instability-type transformation. Selective removal techniques are also used to confirm the morphologies of the core-shell nanostructures.
Fabrication of Electrospun Polymer Fibers with Nonspherical Cross-Sections Using a Nanopressing Technique
(2016-02)
Chen, Jiun-Tai
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Kao, Yi-Huei
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Kuo, Tyng-Yow
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Liu, Chih-Ting
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Chiu, Yu-Jing
The fabrication of electrospun polymer fibers is demonstrated with anisotropic cross-sections by applying a simple pressing method. Electrospun polystyrene or poly(methyl methacrylate) fibers are pressed by flat or patterned substrates while the samples are annealed at elevated temperatures. The shapes and morphologies of the pressed polymer fibers are controlled by the experimental conditions such as the pressing force, the pressing temperature, the pressing time, and the surface pattern of the substrate. At the same pressing force, the shape changes of the polymer fibers can be controlled by the pressing time. For shorter pressing times, the deformation process is dominated by the effect of pressing and fibers with barrel-shaped cross-sections can be generated. For longer pressing times, the effect of wetting becomes more important and fibers with dumbbell-shaped cross-sections can be obtained. Hierarchical polymer fibers with nanorods are fabricated by pressing the fibers with porous anodic aluminum oxide templates.
Fabrication of Multicomponent Polymer Nanostructures Containing PMMA Shells and Encapsulated PS Nanospheres in the Nanopores of Anodic Aluminum Oxide Templates
(2015-03-01)
Ko, Hao-Wen
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Chi, Mu-Huan
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Chang, Chun-Wei
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Su, Chun-Hsien
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Wei, Tzu-Hui
Multi-component polymer nanomaterials have attracted great attention because of their applications in areas such as biomedicine, tissue engineering, and organic solar cells. The precise control over the morphologies of multi-component polymer nanomaterials, however, is still a great challenge. In this work, the fabrication of poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA)/polystyrene (PS) nanostructures that contain PMMA shells and encapsulated PS nanospheres is studied. The nanostructures are prepared using a triple solution wetting method with anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates. The nanopores of the templates are wetted sequentially by PS solutions in dimethylformamide (DMF), PMMA solutions in acetic acid, and water. The compositions and morphologies of the nanostructures are controlled by the interactions between the polymers, solvents, and AAO walls. This work not only presents a feasible method to prepare multi-component polymer nanomaterials, but also leads to a better understanding of polymer-solvent interactions in confined geometries.
Fabrication of Polymer Nanopeapods in the Nanopores of Anodic Aluminum Oxide Templates Using a Double-Solution Wetting Method
(2014-08-12)
Chen, Jiun-Tai
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Wei, Tzu-Hui
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Chang, Chun-Wei
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Ko, Hao-Wen
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Chu, Chien-Wei
Although one-dimensional polymer nanomaterials can be prepared by approaches such as the template method, the control over the morphologies of one-dimensional polymer nanomaterials containing multiple components is still a great challenge. In this work, we investigate the formation of polymer nanopeapods using a novel double-solution wetting method in the nanopores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates. A polystyrene (PS) solution in dimethylformamide (DMF) is first introduced into the nanopores of the AAO templates. Then a second polymer solution of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) in acetic acid is infiltrated into the nanopores. Because of the stronger interaction between acetic acid and aluminum oxide than that between DMF and aluminum oxide, the PMMA solution preferentially wets the pore walls of the templates and the PS solution is isolated in the center of the nanopores. After the evaporation of the solvent, peapod-like PS/PMMA nanostructures are obtained, where the shell and the core are composed of PMMA and PS, respectively. The compositions of the polymer nanopeapods are confirmed by removing PS or PMMA selectively. The formation mechanism of the nanostructures is related to the Rayleigh-instability-type transformation and further studied by changing experimental parameters such as the polymer concentration or the polymer molecular weight. This work not only provides a simple approach to prepare multicomponent polymer nanomaterials with controlled morphologies and sizes, but also contributes to a deeper understanding of polymer solvent-interactions in confined geometries.
Fabrication, Morphology Control, and Electroless Metal Deposition of Electrospun ABS Fibers
(2016-08)
Chiu, Yu-Jing
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Chi, Mu-Huan
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Liu, Ying-Hsuan
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Chen, Jiun-Tai
;
交大名義發表
Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) is a polymer composing of acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene. It has been widely used in industry because of its good mechanical and physical properties. The fabrication of ABS fibers, however, has been rarely studied. Here the fabrication of ABS fibers has been reported by an electrospinning technique, in which the sizes and morphologies of the fibers can be controlled by adjusting the electrospinning conditions. The morphologies of the ABS fibers can also be transformed by annealing the fibers on poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films. After annealing, the ABS fibers gradually transform to ABS particles embedded in the PMMA films by a mechanism similar to the Rayleigh-instability-type transformation. To extend the applications of the electrospun ABS fibers, electroless deposition of copper is also conducted, resulting in copper-coated ABS fibers.
Hierarchical hybrid nanostructures: controlled assembly of polymer-encapsulated gold nanoparticles via a Rayleigh-instability-driven transformation under cylindrical confinement
(2016-01-01)
Ko, Hao-Wen
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Chang, Chun-Wei
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Chi, Mu-Huan
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Chu, Chien-Wei
;
Cheng, Ming-Hsiang
We develop a novel route based on the solution wetting method using anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates to fabricate hierarchical hybrid nanostructures assembled from polystyrene-encapsulated gold nanoparticles (Au@PS NPs). Hybrid nanostructures including nanotubes and nanospheres can be reliably prepared, in which the spatial arrangement of the Au@PS NPs is determined by the pore diameters of the templates and the molecular weights of the thiol-ended polystyrene (PS-SH) ligands. In particular, the Rayleigh-instability-driven transformation plays a key role in the formation of the hybrid nanospheres.
Hybridization of CMRP and ATRP: A Direct Living Chain Extension from Poly(vinyl acetate) to Poly(methyl methacrylate) and Polystyrene
(2015-10-13)
Chen, Ya-Jo
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Wu, Bing-Jyun
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Wang, Fu-Sheng
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Chi, Mu-Huan
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Chen, Jiun-Tai
Cobalt-mediated radical polymerization (CMRP) was used to prepare well-defined poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) as the macroinitiator in the reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene (Sty) for the synthesis of block copolymers of PVAc-b-PMMA and PVAc-b-PSty with linearly increased molecular weight and smoothly shifted gel permeation chromatography (GPC) traces. The chain extension from PVAc to PMMA or PSty via the hybridization of CMRP and ATRP required neither a difunctional initiator nor further chain-end modification and was as simple as regular chain extension in the reverse ATRP process. Because the cobalt complex bonded to the chain end of PVAc was dissociated during the ATRP process, this method also efficiently solved the issue of metal removal in the CMRP process.
Microwave-annealing-induced nanowetting: a rapid and facile method for fabrication of one-dimensional polymer nanomaterials
(2015-01-01)
Chang, Chun-Wei
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Chi, Mu-Huan
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Chu, Chien-Wei
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Ko, Hao-Wen
;
Tu, Yi-Hsuan
Template wetting methods have been broadly applied to fabricate diverse one-dimensional polymer nanomaterials. The currently used template wetting methods, however, have shortcomings and disadvantages such as long processing times, thermal degradation, and difficulties in controlling the lengths. In this work, we develop a novel microwave-annealing-induced nanowetting (MAIN) method to fabricate one-dimensional polymer nanomaterials using porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates. Upon microwave annealing, the polymer chains are infiltrated into the nanopores of the AAO templates, and the morphologies of the polymer nanomaterials can be controlled by the annealing conditions. The growth rates of the polymer nanomaterials using the MAIN method are faster than those using the traditional thermal annealing method. This work not only provides a time-saving method to fabricate one-dimensional polymer nanomaterials with controlled morphologies, but also offers a better understanding of the effect of microwave annealing on the wetting behaviors of polymer melts.
Nanopressing: Toward Tailored Polymer Microstructures and Nanostructures
(2014-01-01)
Kao, Yi-Huei
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Chi, Mu-Huan
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Tsai, Chia-Chan
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Chen, Jiun-Tai
;
應用化學系
A simple and versatile method is developed for preparing anisotropic polymer particles by pressing polymer microspheres at elevated temperatures. Polystyrene (PS) microspheres are used to demonstrate this approach. Depending on the mechanical deformation and wetting of the polymers on the substrates, polymer structures with special shapes such as barrel-like or dumbbell-like shapes can be prepared. The morphology of polymer structures can be controlled by the experimental parameters such as the pressing pressure, the pressing temperature, and the pressing time. The wetting of the polymers on the substrates dominates when the samples are annealing at higher temperatures for longer times.
Porous Polymer Nanostructures Fabricated by the Surface-Induced Phase Separation of Polymer Solutions in Anodic Aluminum Oxide Templates
(2013-08-13)
Wei, Tzu-Hui
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Chi, Mu-Huan
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Tsai, Chia-Chan
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Ko, Hao-Wen
;
Chen, Jiun-Tai
We study the formation of porous polymer nanostructures fabricated by the surface-induced phase separation of polymer solutions in anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) are used to investigate the evolution process of the surface-induced phase separation. With the longer immersion time of the AAO template in the polymer solution, the size of the solvent-rich droplet is increased by the coarsening process, resulting in the formation of porous polymer nanostructures. The coarsening mechanism is further evaluated by changing the experimental parameters including the immersion time, the polymer concentration, the polymer molecular weight, and the solvent quality. Under conditions in which polymer solutions have higher viscosities, the coarsening process is slowed down and the formation of the porous nanostructures is prohibited. The prevention of the porous nanostructures can also be realized by adding water to the PMMA/THF solution before the immersion process.
Reversible morphology control of three-dimensional block copolymer nanostructures by the solvent-annealing-induced wetting in anodic aluminum oxide templates
(2016)
Chu, Chiang-Jui
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Cheng, Ming-Hsiang
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Chung, Pei-Yun
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Chi, Mu-Huan
;
Jeng, Kai-Sheng
In this work, the authors study the fabrication of three-dimensional block copolymer nanostructures in which the morphologies can be reversibly controlled. Polystyrene-block-polydimethylsiloxane (PS-b-PDMS), a promising candidate for nanolithography, is introduced into cylindrical nanopores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates using a solvent annealing-induced nanowetting in templates (SAINT) method. Not only the morphologies of the infiltrated PS-b-PDMS nanostructures can be tuned by the annealing solvents, but also the solvent-vapor-controlled morphologies can be altered reversibly by annealing the samples repeatedly between different solvent vapors.
Selective solvent-induced reconstruction in confined space: one-dimensional mesoporous block copolymer structures in cylindrical nanopores
(2017-06-14)
Chang, Chun-Wei
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Chi, Mu-Huan
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Ko, Hao-Wen
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Chu, Chien-Wei
;
Fang, Zhi-Xuan
We investigate the formation of polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) nanostructures confined in cylindrical nanopores via a novel selective solvent-induced reconstruction process. The key factors of the morphologies of the nanostructures are determined, including the choice of solvents, the molecular weights of the polymers, and the pore diameters of the templates.
Selective Template Wetting Routes to Hierarchical Polymer Films: Polymer Nanotubes from Phase-Separated Films via Solvent Annealing
(2016-03-01)
Ko, Hao-Wen
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Cheng, Ming-Hsiang
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Chi, Mu-Huan
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Chang, Chun-Wei
;
Chen, Jiun-Tai
We demonstrate a novel wetting method to prepare hierarchical polymer films with polymer nanotubes on selective regions. This strategy is based on the selective wetting abilities of polymer chains, annealed in different solvent vapors, into the nanopores of porous templates. Phase separated films of polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), two commonly used polymers, are prepared as a model system. After anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates are placed on the films, the samples are annealed in vapors of acetic acid, in which the PMMA chains are swollen and wet the nanopores of the AAO templates selectively. As a result, hierarchical polymer films containing PMMA nanotubes can be obtained after the AAO templates are removed. The distribution of the PMMA nanotubes of the hierarchical polymer films can also be controlled by changing the compositions of the polymer blends. This work not only presents a novel method to fabricate hierarchical polymer films with polymer nanotubes on selective regions, but also gives a deeper understanding in the selective wetting ability of polymer chains in solvent vapors.