Patterned films of cross-linked conjugated polymers were prepared from phase separation occuring when depositing blends of the cross-linkable polymer with polystyrene (PS) by spin coating. The subsequent cross-linking of the conjugated polymer allows the PS removal by solvent rinsing leaving behind an insoluble patterned film. We demonstrate that columnar (ex. in Figure 1), spike, and porous films can be obtained using this process and we will discuss strategies to control their morphologic characteristics at the sub-micrometric scale [1].

Figure 1. Atomic Force Microscopy topography image (3D) of a columnar film of a cross-linked conjugated polymer over a PEDOT:PSS covered substrate. The average column radius is 170  61 nm.

[1] A. Charas et al. Macromolecules, 2009, 42, 7903-7912.

Acknowledgements: This work was financed by FCT-Portugal (contracts PTDC/FIS/72831/2006 and PTDC/CTM/64127/2006).