Issue 15, 2015

Block copolymer self-assembly for nanophotonics

Abstract

The ability to control and modulate the interaction of light with matter is crucial to achieve desired optical properties including reflection, transmission, and selective polarization. Photonic materials rely upon precise control over the composition and morphology to establish periodic interactions with light on the wavelength and sub-wavelength length scales. Supramolecular assembly provides a natural solution allowing the encoding of a desired 3D architecture into the chemical building blocks and assembly conditions. The compatibility with solution processing and low-overhead manufacturing is a significant advantage over more complex approaches such as lithography or colloidal assembly. Here we review recent advances on photonic architectures derived from block copolymers and highlight the influence and complexity of processing pathways. Notable examples that have emerged from this unique synthesis platform include Bragg reflectors, antireflective coatings, and chiral metamaterials. We further predict expanded photonic capabilities and limits of these approaches in light of future developments of the field.

Graphical abstract: Block copolymer self-assembly for nanophotonics

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
24 Dec. 2014
First published
09 Apr. 2015
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015,44, 5076-5091

Block copolymer self-assembly for nanophotonics

M. Stefik, S. Guldin, S. Vignolini, U. Wiesner and U. Steiner, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015, 44, 5076 DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00517A

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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