Phase-Morphology Map of Polymer-Blend Thin Films Confined to Narrow Strips

Upon lateral confinement, a critical polymer-blend film at 200 °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.