Mesoscopic patterning in evaporated polymer solutions: Poly(ethylene glycol) and room-temperature-vulcanized polyorganosilanes/-siloxanes promote formation of honeycomb structures

Patterning in evaporated polymer solutions based on amorphous polymers and chlorinated solvents has been investigated. Bilayered films patterned on two scales, i.e., 50 and 5 m, are obtained. The addition of polyorganosilane/- siloxane to solutions destroys the large-scale pattern. Polyethylene glycol) promotes the formation of more dense close-packed structures on the mesoscopic scale (≈5 m). Short-range and mesoscopic (liquid-like) ordering of the honeycomb structures on the characteristic scale of 5 m is revealed with the statistical analysis of SEM images. Physical mechanisms responsible for patterning are discussed.