Phase-morphology map of polymer-blend thin films confined to narrow strips.

Upon lateral confinement, a critical polymer-blend film at 200 degrees C has been directed to form tube, capsule, confined domain, and multiple domain configurations. A phase-morphology map is produced by varying the confinement width ( W) and film thickness ( h(0)), and interpreted using a single pore model. Using the known correlation length, capsule length, and W, the boundary, in terms of W/h(0), between configurations is predicted and found to be in good agreement with experiment. This morphology map has potential applications for microencapsulating drugs and self-assembled conducting wires.