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8723011 
Journal Article 
Direct 3-d imaging of the evolution of block copolymer microstructures using laser scanning confocal microscopy 
Lee, W; Yoon, J; Lee, H; Thomas, EL 
2007 
1 
Macromolecules
ISSN: 0024-9297
EISSN: 1520-5835 
40 
17 
6021-6024 
English 
A 3D optical imaging of high molecular weight BCP morphologies including following dynamic microstructural changes in real space enabled with reflection-mode LSCM was investigated. The photonic PS-b-PI BCP's with lamellar and cylindrical morphologies were prepared by anionic polymerization, in which styrene and isoprene monomers were added sequentially in cyclohexane/benzene mixed solvent. Films of the lamellar and cylindrical BCP were prepared by casting the BCP solutions in toluene between a slide-glass and a cover-glass. The samples were investigated by reflection mode LSCM in which reflection signals of the probe light were scanned through an oil-immersion objective lens. The LSCM image showed a lamellar morphology composed of domains with various lamellar orientations, which was obtained near the center of the sample. It was observed that LSCM can provide detailed 3D optical imaging of ultrahigh molecular weight BCP's having lamellar and cylindrical morphologies.