Adsorption of block-copolymer micelles from a selective solvent

We have studied the adsorption of poly(styrene-b-2-vinylpyridine) block copolymers from a selective solvent onto a flat solid substrate, resulting in the formation of laterally ordered microdomains. We address the question whether the lateral domain structure is due to adsorption of entire micelles from the solution. Dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, surface plasmon spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the polymer solution, the adsorption process, and the resulting polymer layer, respectively. A quantitative comparison of the results obtained with different techniques strongly indicates direct adsorption of whole micelles onto a brush formed from free copolymer chains. Furthermore, the adsorption process is found to depend strongly on the velocity at which the samples are withdrawn from the solution.