Sub_10nm nanostructured thin films made from carbohydrate-based diblock copolymers: a new strategy for long-range order – SWEETSURF

Nano-organized thin films that find applications in immerging nanotechnology are made today from synthetic polymers and more precisely from block copolymer (BCP) systems. Most of these systems are derived from petroleum and their self-assembly is often limited to 20-30 nm resolutions (domain and size spacing) but also to short-range order. Those features are highly limitative for the development of new generation of nanodevices and the main reason comes from a relatively weak interfacial incompatibility represented by the X (Flory-Huggins parameter) between both blocks. To overcome these bottlenecks, there is a growing interest in high-resolution patterned thin films with long-range order that derive from the promise of individually manipulating polymer chains using the bottom-up approach, via self-assembly, to create the next generation of nanostructured materials with smaller size and long-range order, improved performance and functionality compared to those provided by top-down conventional manufacturing technologies. The aim of this proposal is the design and the nanofabrication of novel oligosaccharide-based block copolymers with highly segregating strength to control the domain size, orientation and long-range order for the next generation of high-resolution sub_10nm patterning.
Thus the proposed multidisciplinary approach involves a strong collaboration between Grenoble (CERMAV: R. Borsali and collaborators) and Lyon (IMP, E. Drockenmuller and collaborators). The proposal constitutes a clever mix with leader teams in the advanced building of self-assembled high X carbohydrate-based block copolymers featured by sub_10nm thin films, synthesis, morphology, and properties (precise morphologies with long-range order).
SWEETSURF aims to bring an elegant solution by using high-? carbohydrate-based block copolymers -a sustainable source of materials- in response to high-resolution patterning and a smart strategy to control the bottom and top interfaces of BCP thin films by the design of both “neutral” underlayers and fluorinated additives for interfacial segregation to improve long-range order self-assembly and nano-patterning at the sub-10 nm scale. This “window” of opportunity will certainly open new horizons for the valorization of these novel bio-sourced functional nanomaterials and approach ready to be implemented onto innovative nanoscale devices.