| Theoretical and Experimental Studies of New Polymer-Metal High-Dielectric Constant Nanocomposites | ||
| Valeriy Ginzburg, Physical Sciences Group, The Dow Chemical Company, Bldg. 1702, Midland, MI 48674, Michael J. Elwell, Thermosets R&D, The Dow Chemical Company, Rheinmuenster, 77836, Germany, Kyle Myers, Materials Sciences, The Dow Chemical Company, Bldg. 1702, Midland, MI 48674, Robert Cieslinski, Analytical Sciences, The Dow Chemical Company, Bldg. 1897, Midland, MI 48674 and Mark T. Bernius, Ventures R&D, The Dow Chemical Company, Bldg. 1702, Midland, MI 48674 High-dielectric-constant (high-K) gate materials are important for the needs of electronics industry. Most polymers have dielectric constant in the range 2 < K < 5; thus to create materials with K > 10 it is necessary to combine polymers with ceramic or metal nanoparticles. Several formulations based on functionalized Au-nanoparticles (R ~ 5 -- 10 nm) and PMMA matrix polymer are prepared. Nanocomposite films are subsequently cast from solution. We study the morphology of those nanocomposites using theoretical (Self-Consistent Mean-Field Theory [SCMFT]) and experimental (Transmission Electron Microscopy [TEM]) techniques. Good qualitative agreement between theory and experiment is found. The study validates the utility of SCMFT as screening tool for the preparation of stable (or at least metastable) polymer/nanoparticle mixtures. Extended Abstract Status: Not Uploaded | ||