La limitation de solvants toxiques halogénés dans les procédés de préparation de matériaux photoactifs est primordiale pour l’industrialisation des cellules solaires organiques. L’objectif de ce travail de thèse a été de préparer des nanoparticules composées de polymère π-conjugué (PCDTBT) et d’accepteur d’électron (PC71BM) dans l’eau ou en milieu alcool. Des particules composites (PCDTBT+ PC71BM) ontété synthétisées avec deux types de stabilisants : un tensio-actif anionique (SDS) et un copolymère à blocs P3HT-b-PEO, ainsi que sans stabilisant. L’intégration de ces nanoparticules dispersées en phase aqueuse dans la couche active de cellules solaires organiques a par exemple permis d’obtenir des rendements de l’ordre de1%. / The replacement of halogenated toxic solvents is fundamental in photoactive material processes to make the organic photovoltaic sector viable. Herein the use of nanoparticles made of π-conjugated polymer (PCDTBT) and electron-acceptor(PC71BM) was targeted in order to allow for instance the control of the phase separation between the two materials. Thus composite particles of PCDTBT and PC71BM have been synthesized using two kinds of stabilizers: an anionic surfactant (SDS) and a block copolymer P3HT-b-PEO, as well as without stabilizer. As an example such nanoparticles were integrated as active layer into photovoltaic device enabling a power conversion efficiency of 0.94% from aqueous based inks.

L'ADN chromosomique des cellules eucaryotes est fortement condensé au sein d'un complexe nucléoprotéïque, la chromatine. Aussi bien l'organisation spatiale que la composition biochimique (état “épigénomique”) de la chromatine jouent un rôle fondamental dans la régulation des gènes. Grâce aux récents développements des techniques de séquençage à haut-débit, il est possible de déterminer l'état épigénomique local de la chromatine ainsi que la probabilité de contact entre deux sites génomiques (technique dite de “Hi-C”). Ces deux techniques ont permis de mettre en évidence l’existence de domaines d’interaction dont les positions corrèlent fortement avec la segmentation épigénomique de la chromatine. Cependant, les mécanismes responsables de ce couplage sont encore mal compris. L’objectif de cette thèse est de bâtir des modèles physiques permettant de valider l’hypothèse que l’épigénome est un acteur majeur dans le repliement 3D de la chromatine. Pour cela, nous avons tout d’abord développé “IC-Finder”, un algorithme permettant de segmenter les cartes Hi-C en domaines d’interaction. Nous avons alors pu quantifier précisément l’association entre épigénome et organisation de la chromatine. Les corrélations trouvées justifient l’idée de modéliser la chromatine par un copolymère par bloc dont les monomères ont chacun un état épigénomique. Dans ce cadre, nous avons développé une méthode d’inférence des potentiels d'interaction entre sites génomiques à partir des cartes Hi-C expérimentales. Ce travail permettra à plus long terme de prévoir l’organisation de la chromatine sous différentes conditions, ce qui permettra d’étudier en particulier les changements de structure résultant de l’altération de l’épigénome. / DNA of eukaryotes is highly condensed in a nucleoprotein complex called chromatin. Both the spatial organization and the biochemical composition (“epigenomic” state) of the chromatin are fundamental for gene regulation. Remarkably, recent studies indicate that1D epigenomic domains tend to fold into 3D topologically associated domains (TADs) forming specialized nuclear chromatin compartments. In this thesis, we address the question of the coupling between chromatin folding and epigenome. We first built a software called IC-finder to segment HiC maps into interacting domains. We next used it to quantify correlations between the TADs and epigenomic partitions of the genome. This led us to develop a physical model of the chromatin with the working hypothesis that chromatin organization is driven by physical interactions between epigenomic loci. We modeled chromatin as a block copolymer where each block corresponds to an epigenomic domain. With this framework, we developed a method to infer interaction parameters between chromatin loci from experimental Hi-C map. An outcome of such inference process would be a powerful tool to predict chromatin organization in various conditions, allowing investigating in silico changes in TAD formations and long-range contacts when altering the epigenome.

The research goal of this work was dedicated to improvement of the properties and enhancement of the application potential of commodity polymer based on polyolefins by choosing different synthesis routes to create new structures and materials. More precisely, the presented study explores different aspects of metallocene and post-metallocene catalyzed olefin polymerization leading to synthesis of novel copolymers and nanocomposites. The first part of this thesis deals with controlled polymerization of α-olefins catalyzed by post-metallocenes. Bis(phenoxyamine) zirconium complexes with [ONNO]-type ligands bearing cumyl (bPA-c) and 1-adamantyl (bPA-a) ortho-substituents were applied. For the polymerization catalyzed by bPA catalyst quasi-living kinetic character is proposed. The bPA catalyst was applied for synthesis of block copolymers by employing the strategy of sequential monomer addition. The blocky structure of the copolymer was successfully achieved and confirmed by NMR techniques. Moreover, the monomodal distribution of molar mass in SEC chromatogram confirmed the absence of homopolymers. In the second part of the work new defined comb-like copolymers (CLC) having a poly(10-undecene-1-ol) (PUol) backbone and densely grafted poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) side chains are presented. These copolymers were synthesized in two steps by means of metallocene polymerization followed by ring opening polymerization. Copolymers with varied and adjustable graft length (PCL segments) were synthesized. It was proved that the melting and crystallization temperatures of the CLC correlate with the PCL side chain length, i.e. longer chains result in higher Tm and Tc,o values. The melting enthalpy was found to be asymptotically dependent on the length of PCL side chains. The bulk morphology of the comb-like copolymers is proposed to be lamellar as judged from the TEM micrographs. The third part of the thesis is focused on the synthesis of polypropylene nanocomposites via in situ polymerization. Thereby, organomodified aluminumphosphate with kanemite-type layered structure (AlPO-kan) has been used as novel filler. Melt compounding composites were prepared for comparison purposes to evaluate the influence of in situ synthesis on the dispersion quality of the filler in polymer matrix. Melt compounding of neat AlPO-kan with PP did not lead to formation of nanocomposites. TEM images show macro-composites with the lamellar solid remaining agglomerated. On the contrary, in situ polymerization of propene yielded materials with exfoliated nanocomposite morphology. In XRD, diffractions of the AlPO-kan pilling of layers are not detectable. It can be concluded that the primary existing layers are delaminated. Very fine distribution of the filler in the polypropylene matrix has been impressively demonstrated by TEM.

This paper reports a simple self-assembly strategy towards bowl-shaped carbon-containing hollow particles, as well as an unprecedented potential application for block copolymer vesicles in energy storage. Kippah vesicles (fully collapsed vesicles), formed by solution self-assembly of an amphiphilic polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymer, were employed as the template to guide the formation of bowl-shaped nitrogen-doped carbon hollow particles (BNCHPs). As electrode materials of supercapacitors, BNCHPs exhibit superior electrochemical performance. In particular, compared with their spherical counterpart, BNCHPs largely increase their volumetric packing density, leading to much higher volumetric capacitance or volume reduction of electrodes, which is desired for practical supercapacitor devices.

Dans ce travail, nous avons développé des nanostructures théranostics à base de polypeptides fonctionnalisées avec un photosensibilisateur (PTS) dans le but d’être utilisées en thérapie photodynamique (PDT). La génération d'oxygène singulet et les propriétés de fluorescence du PTS peuvent ainsi à la fois diagnostiquer et traiter une tumeur. Un dérivé asymétrique et multifonctionnel de l'aza-dipyrrométhènes difluorure de bore chélate (aza-BODIPY) fluorogène a été synthétisé pour être utilisé comme photosensibilisateur en raison de ses propriétés non toxiques, son insensibilité à l'environnement biologique externe, sa production d'oxygène singulet élevée et son important rendement quantique de fluorescence. Pour permettre au photosensibilisant d’atteindre la tumeur, quatre copolymères à blocs amphiphiles différents en termes de localisation du PTS et de la longueur de la chaîne PEG ont été synthétisés. Les blocs amphiphiles sont constitués de segments poly(ɤ-benzyl-L-glutamate) (PBLG, DP ~ 50) et poly(éthylène glycol) (PEG, DP = 45 et 113). Ces copolymères sont en outre capables de s’auto-assembler en micelles et en vésicules. Nous avons développé une stratégie de synthèse permettant la liaison covalente du PTS pour les copolymères à blocs amphiphiles, empêchant ainsi une fuite du PTS avant que le nanoparticules atteignent le site de la tumeur. En outre, nous avons étudié l'activité du PTS en fonction de la concentration, de la morphologie des nanoparticules et de la localisation du PTS dans les nanoparticules. Enfin, l'efficacité des nanoparticules a été évaluée in vitro sur des cellules HeLa et B16F1. / In this work, we developed photosensitizer (PTS) functionalized polypeptide-based theranostic nano-assemblies to be used in photodynamic therapy (PDT). The singlet oxygen generation and fluorescence properties of the PTS provide simultaneous diagnosis and therapy of the tumor.An asymmetric and multifunctional derivative of the aza-dipyrromethene boron difluoride chelate (aza-BODIPY) fluorophore was synthesized to be used as a photosensitizer due to its nontoxic properties, insensitivity to external biological environment, high singlet oxygen generation and fluorescent quantum yield. To carry the photosensitizer to the tumor, four different (in terms of PTS localization and PEG chain length) amphiphilic block copolymers consisting of poly(ɤ-benzyl-L-glutamate) (PBLG, DP~50) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG, DP=45 and 113) chains, able to self-assembled into micelles and vesicles, were synthesized. We developed a synthetic strategy allowing covalent linkage of PTS to the amphiphilic block copolymers, thus preventing PTS leakage before the nano-assembly reaches the tumor site. Moreover, we investigated PTS activity as a function of concentration, morphology of the nano-assemblies and PTS localization in the nano-assemblies. Finally, the efficacy of the nano-assemblies has been evaluated in vitro on HeLa and B16F1 cells.

The thesis presents work regarding amphiphilic molecules associated in aqueous solution or at the liquid/solid interface. Two main topics are included: the temperature-dependent behavior of micelles and the adsorption of dispersants on carbon nanotube (CNT) surfaces. Various NMR methods were used to analyze those systems, such as chemical shift detection, spectral intensity measurements, spin relaxation and, in particular, self-diffusion experiments. Besides this, small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was also applied for structural characterization.   A particular form of phase transition, core freezing, was detected as a function of temperature in micelles composed by a single sort of Brij-type surfactants. In mixed micelles, that phase transition still occurs accompanied by a reversible segregation of different surfactants into distinct aggregates. Adding a hydrophobic solubilizate shifts the core freezing point to a lower temperature. Upon lowering the temperature to the core freezing point, the solubilizate is released. The temperature course of the release curves with different initial solubilizate loadings is rationalized in terms of a temperature-dependent loading capacity.   The behavior of amphiphilic dispersant molecules in aqueous dispersions of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has been investigated with a Pluronic-type block copolymer as frequent model dispersant. Detailed dispersion curves were recorded and the distribution of the dispersant among different available environments was analyzed. The amount of dispersed CNT was shown to be defined by a complex interplay of several factors during the dispersion process such as dispersant concentration, sonication time, centrifugation and CNT loading. In the dispersion process, high amphiphilic concentration is required because the pristine CNT surfaces made available by sonication must be rapidly covered by dispersants to avoid their re-attachment. In the prepared dispersions, the competitive adsorption of possible dispersants was investigated that provided information about the relative strength of the interaction of those with the nanotube surfaces. Anionic surfactants were found to have a strong tendency to replace Pluronics, which indicates a strong binding of those surfactants.   CNTs were dispersed in an epoxy resin to prepare nanotube-polymer composites. The molecular mobility of epoxy was investigated and the results demonstrated the presence of loosely associated CNT aggregates within which the molecular transport of epoxy is slow because of strong attractive intermolecular interactions between epoxy and the CNT surface. The rheological behavior is dominated by aggregate-aggregate jamming. / <p>QC 20180103</p>

Deux séries de copolymères tribloc thermo-sensibles et amphiphiles, à savoir poly(L-lactide)/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N,N-diméthylacrylamide) et poly(L-lactide)/poly(2-(2-méthoxyéthoxy) éthyl méthacrylate-co-oligo(éthylène glycol) méthacrylate) ont été synthétisées par polymérisation radicalaire par transfert d'atomes en utilisant le Br-PLLA-Br comme macroamorceur dans des conditions douces. Les copolymères obtenus présentent une structure de chaînes bien définie avec une dispersité étroite, et sont capable de s'auto-assembler dans un milieu aqueux pour donner des micelles sphériques de taille en dessous de 100 nm et de faible concentration micellaire critique (<0.016 mg mL-1). La température critique inférieure de solution peut être ajustée avec précision en faisant varier le rapport NIPAAm/DMAAm ou MEO2MA/OEGMA. Un principe actif hydrophobe, curcumine, a été choisi comme modèle pour déterminer les propriétés de libération des micelles à différentes températures. Une libération thermo-sensible de curcumine a été observée, indiquant que ces copolymères sont prometteurs pour la libération ciblée de principes actifs anti-tumoraux. / Two series of thermo-responsive and amphiphilic triblock copolymers, i.e. poly(L-lactide)/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N,N-dimethylacrylamide) and poly(L-lactide)/poly(2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate-co-oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate) were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization using Br-PLLA-Br as macroinitiator under mild conditions. The obtained copolymers present well defined chain structures with narrow dispersity, and are able to self-assemble in aqueous medium yielding spherical micelles with size below 100 nm and low critical micellization concentration (<0.016 mg mL-1). The lower critical solution temperature is precisely adjusted by changing the NIPAAm/DMAAm or MEO2MA/OEGMA ratio. A hydrophobic drug, curcumin, is taken as a model to evaluate the drug release properties of micelles at different temperatures. Thermo-responsive drug release behavior is observed, indicating that these copolymers are promising candidate for targeted delivery of anticancer drugs.

Afin de répondre aux demandes constantes de l’industrie micro-électronique pour la réduction des tailles des dispositifs électroniques, de nouvelles techniques de lithographie sont mises au point. Une de ces techniques est l’auto-assemblage dirigé des copolymères à blocs (DSA). Cette technique consiste à utiliser la capacité des copolymères à blocs à s’auto-assembler en nanodomaines (cylindres ou lamelles) pour former des motifs de type contact ou ligne / espace. En l’absence de motifs directionnels, les copolymères à blocs ne possèdent pas d’ordre à longue distance, nécessaire pour toute application type CMOS. Ainsi, deux approches différentes de DSA sont utilisées: la grapho-épitaxie, qui génère une orientation par guidage physique, et la chemo-épitaxie, qui génère une orientation par affinité chimique. Cette dernière permet plus de flexibilité lors de la conception des masques de lithographie puisque les zones actives sont définies à postériori par l’approche « cut last », et est de fait la plus recherchée aujourd’hui pour aligner les copolymères à blocs. Toutefois, les procédés de chemo-épitaxie actuels ont montré leurs limitations pour l’utilisation de copolymères à blocs de haute résolution dit high , dont la période est inférieure à 20 nm, due aux limitations des outils de lithographie conventionnelle utilisés en production.Dans cette thèse, un nouveau procédé de chemo-épitaxie, nommé ACE (Arkema-CEA) spécialement conçu pour l’intégration de copolymères à blocs high  est présenté. Dans ce procédé, les guides de chemo-épitaxie sont formés en combinant la lithographie standard et le procédé de lithographie par espaceur. Une sous-couche neutre, permettant l’orientation perpendiculaire du copolymère à blocs, est dans un premier temps déposée entre les espaceurs. Après le retrait des espaceurs, une étape de greffage sélectif a lieu pour obtenir un guide affine. Dans le procédé ACE, la taille finale du guide n’est plus directement définie par lithographie mais elle est plutôt déterminée par la taille de l’espaceur, obtenue en contrôlant l’épaisseur de dépôt. Cette technique permet de s’affranchir des contraintes de la lithographie au niveau des hautes résolutions.Afin de démontrer la faisabilité du procédé ACE, la thèse est divisée en deux axes de recherches. Le premier axe consiste à valider les points critiques du procédé, à savoir le greffage sélectif du guide directionnel entre les motifs formés par la sous-couche neutre et le retrait des espaceurs. Une étude approfondie sur les différentes sous-couches polymères disponibles et les effets des procédés sur celles-ci est réalisée. Le second axe s’intéresse à l’alignement du copolymère à blocs par le procédé ACE. Des fenêtres de procédé permettant d’étudier la stabilité et la reproductibilité du procédé sont obtenues en mesurant la défectivité du copolymère à blocs en fonction de la commensurabilité des motifs de lithographie. L’influence des différents paramètres (conditions de recuit et d’épaisseur du copolymère à blocs, hauteur et CD des espaceurs, …) est étudiée afin d’optimiser le procédé mis en place.Au vu des essais réalisés, le procédé mis en place est un procédé hybride chemo-grapho-épitaxie : la combinaison des guides physiques et chimiques permet l’alignement à longue distance des copolymères à blocs. L’absence de topographie ou la modification de l’affinité chimique du guide entraine une absence ou une modification de l’alignement des blocs. L’optimisation des paramètres permet l’alignement des copolymères à blocs sur de longues distances (plusieurs dizaines de micromètres carré), qui pourront permettre la définition de zone active par l’approche « cut last ». / In order to offer a solution to constant micro-electronics fab requirements in terms of lithography resolution, new lithography approaches are under study. One of this technic consist of using Block Copolymer capabilities to self-assembled in micro-structures, forming patterns structures like contact (cylinders) and line / space (lamellae). In the absence of any constraint, block copolymer do not own a long range order, useful for any CMOS-type application. Thereby two technics are used to obtain a block alignment: the grapho-epitaxy which align the block copolymer thanks to a physical guide, and the chemo-epitaxy, which align block copolymer thanks to a chemical affinity. Chemo-epitaxy, contrary to graph-epitaxy, offers space saving by aligning the blocs all over the studied field. Today, it is the most used technic. However, the current lithography requirements lead to the integration of high  block copolymers whose period are below 20 nm. With this dimension, the current chemo-epitaxy processes are not adapted anymore, due to the resolution limit of the standard lithography tools defining the guides.This thesis aims to introduce a new chemo-epitaxy process flow, called Process ACE,by using LETI 300mm process capability and Arkema’s block copolymer advanced materials. In this new process, chemo-epitaxy guides are formed by combining standard lithography and established spacer patterning process. Spacer patterning technique is an option which, thanks to its aggressive dimensions, allows the integration of high  block copolymers. A neutral underlayer, allowing perpendicular bloc copolymer orientation is located between the spacers. After the spacer removal, a selective grafting takes place to obtain an affine guide for one of the block. The final guide size corresponds to the one of the spacer earlier processed.In order to validate the process feasibility the thesis is divided in two parts. The first part investigates the critical process steps, that is to say the affinity guide selective grafting between the patterns form by the neutral underlayer and the spacers removal, by means of an in-depth polymer underlayer study and the process effects on these one’s. The second part focuses on block copolymer alignment with process ACE. Process windows validating the process stability and reproducibility are obtained by measuring block copolymer defectivity as a function of the lithography patterns commensurability. The different parameters effect (block copolymer baking, spacer height and width) is studied in order to optimise the process set up.On the basis of the testis undertaken, the process set up is a hybrid chemo-grapho-epitaxy process. It allows block copolymer long range order thanks to physical and chemical guides involved at the underlayer – block copolymer interface all by allowing a full space occupation of the available space.

Polystyrene block polyethyleneimine (PS-b-PEI) copolymer prepared by combining PS and poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) (PMeOx) segments together through two strategies. Furthermore, PMeOx block was hydrolysis to produce PEI block which linked with PS block. Macroinitiator route is one of these two ways to prepare PS-b-PEI copolymer. Polystyrene macroinitiator or poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) macroinitiator prepared through Nitroxide Mediate Radical Polymerization (NMRP) or Cationic Ring Opening Polymerization (CROP) respectively. Each macroinitiator has active initiated terminal group toward another block monomer. Second strategy based on coupling of PS segment with PMeOx block through “click” coupling chemistry. Polystyrene modified with terminal azide moiety are combined with PMeOx functionalized with alkyne group via 1,3 dipolar cycloaddition reaction “click reaction”. PS-b-PMeOx was hydrolysis in alkaline medium to produce amphiphilic PS-b-PEI copolymer. A set of block copolymer with different block ratios was prepared and investigated to select suitable block copolymer for further applications. Stichiometric PS-b-PEI copolymer selected to stabilize gold nanoparticle (Au NPs) in polymer matrix. PEI segment work as reducing and stabilizing agent of gold precursor in aqueous solution. Various concentrations of gold precursor were loaded and its effect on UVVIS absorbance, particle size and particle distribution studied. In addition, reduction efficiency of PEI block was determined from XPS measurements. The thickness of Au NPs/PS-b-PEI thin film was determined with a novel model for composite system. On the other hand, Gallium nitride quantum dots (GaN QDs) stabilized in PS-b-PEI copolymer after annealing. Our amphiphilic block copolymer exhibit nice thermal stability under annealing conditions. GaN QDs prepared in narrow nano-size with fine particle distribution. Blue ray was observed as an indication to emission activity of GaN crystal. Over all, PS-b-PEI copolymer synthesized through macroinitiator and click coupling methods. It was successfully stabilized Au NPs and GaN QDs in polymer matrix with controlled particle size which can be post applied in tremendous industrial and researcher fields.

End-functional poly(ether amic acid)s and poly(siloxane imide) multiblock copolymers, comprised of 2,2'-Bis[4-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]propane dianhydride (BPADA) / meta-phenylene diamine (MPDA) and hexafluoroisopropylidene-2-bis(phthalic acid anhydride) (6FDA) / meta-phenylene diamine (MPDA) polyimide segments, have been prepared and characterized to explore possibilities for controlling interface properties. Incorporation of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) components into polyimide backbone structures can yield advantageous properties such as low energy surfaces and low stress interfaces. End-functional BPDA/MPDA poly(amic acid) salts and poly(siloxane amic acid) salts were prepared in methanolic or aqueous tripropylamine solutions. The polymeric salts formed stable water solutions (or dispersions) and imidized in less than 10 minutes at 260°C. The water solubility and rapid imidization times are ideal for on-line processing. Thus, these materials can be used as sizing and interface toughening agents for fiber reinforced composite manufacturing. Epoxy-polyimide networks prepared from the amine functionalized polyimide with DER 331 epoxy resin and diamino diphenylsulfone showed microphase separation (100-300 nm inclusions) by transmission electron microscopy. Slight toughening of the cured epoxy with 9 weight % imide was observed with the imide as the included phase. Epoxy bilayer films of polyimide (amine end-functional and commercial Ultem™) and poly(siloxane imide) multiblock copolymers were prepared to evaluate the polymer-matrix interphase region. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis of the bilayer films showed diffusion at the interphase for the bilayers prepared with the polyimides and the BPADA/MPDA block copolymers containing polyimide continuous phases. Poly(siloxane imide) multiblock copolymers comprised of 6FDA/MPDA polyimide structures are ideal candidates for controlling interfacial properties between silicon substrates layered with thin films for microelectronic applications. These high Tg materials offer an approach for obtaining reduced moisture absorption and low stress interfaces. Evaluation of the refractive indices of the block copolymer films showed a decrease with increasing siloxane content thus suggesting the possibility of lower dielectric constants. The polymer-metal interfacial properties were investigated for films cast on titanium and tantalum substrates. The results suggested a correlation between the surface hydroxyl concentration of the metal oxide layer with the interfacial properties of the cast poly(siloxane imide) block copolymer films. The surface hydroxyls were thought to hydrogen bond with the PDMS component of the block copolymer. Since the titanium substrate has a higher surface hydroxyl concentration than the tantalum, higher silicon concentrations were observed. The melt imidized end-functional polyimides and poly(siloxane imide) block copolymers produced thermally stable materials with 5% weight loss temperatures well above 400°C. However, the block copolymers showed slightly lower 5% weight loss temperatures as a function of siloxane content with a significant increase in char formation. Correlation of the upper glass transition temperatures with the imide segment length was consistent with findings noted for other phase separated randomly segmented block copolymers. Incorporating PDMS into the polyimide backbone structure has an effect on the bulk and surface properties. The bulk properties of the poly(siloxane imide) block copolymers were characterized using TEM. The morphologies were consistent with classical block copolymers. Surface properties of the block copolymer films as a function of PDMS content were investigated using angular dependent X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy at take-off angles of 15, 30, and 45°. Surface enrichment of PDMS content over that of the bulk was observed at all three sampling depths. Further evidence of this siloxane enrichment in the surface was demonstrated with water contact angle analyses. With as little as 5 weight % PDMS (<Mn> = 5000 g/mol) in the block copolymer there was over a 25% increase in the water contact angle over the polyimide control. The surface topography was influenced by the degree of phase separation and was characterized using AFM. The roughness factor was used to represent the data. It was found that the surface roughness increased with increasing PDMS content. / Ph. D.