The self-assembled block copolymer films with poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) and hydrophobic polymetharylate (PMA) with azobenzene mesogen in the side chain, denoted as PEOm-b-PMA(Az)n, were used as the template to prepare hexagonally ordered silica nanorod arrays by immersing the template films in the silicate precursor containing tetraetoxysilane (TEOS). The diameter and the center-to-center distance of the SiO2 nanorod arrays were controlled by selecting the block copolymer with different PEO volume fraction. In addition, the contact angles of different kinds’ solvents for the SiO2 nanorod arrays were characterized. We further found, the diameter and the period distance of silica nanorods are very important factors for controlling the contact angle of different kind’s solvents on the surface of the SiO2 nanorod arrays.

The surface of Indium-tin-oxide (ITO) substrate was modified with a newly designed silane coupling molecule bearing azobenzene moiety. The silane coupling molecules formed self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on pretreated ITO surface. The SAM growth and coverage were quantified by contact angle measurement and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The silane coupling molecules improved the adhesion between the ITO surface and an amphiphilic block copolymer (BC) thin film, which consists of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(methacrylate) (PMA) with azobenzene mesogens, because the azobenzene moieties of the SAM anchor the liquid crystalline PMA azobenzene domains of BC.

Conducting polypyrrole (PPy) nanowire array was electrochemically fabricated by using microphase-separated block copolymer (PEOm-b-PMA(Az)n) thin film as an electrode template. Electropolymerization proceeds selectively through the perpendiculary oriented PEO nanocylindrical microdomains on an ITO electrode coated by the above polymer film. The length of the PPy nanowires was controllable in range of 10-120 nm by the thickness of the coated template film and the amount of passed charge. A 10 nm of diameter, 27 nm of periodicity, and 12 of aspect ratio of the crystalline PPy nanowires were successfully achieved. Selective removal of the template is also achieved simply by rinsing with solubility-controlled mixed solvent.