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Segregation of diblock copolymers to the interface between weakly incompatible polymers
Author(s) -
Schnell Ralf,
Stamm Manfred,
Rauch Friedrich
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1521-3935(19990701)200:7<1806::aid-macp1806>3.0.co;2-9
Subject(s) - copolymer , polystyrene , polymer , compatibility (geochemistry) , polymer chemistry , materials science , molar mass distribution , chemical engineering , composite material , engineering
The interface between thin films of polystyrene (PS) and polyparamethylstyrene (PpMS) was investigated in the presence of the diblock copolymer P(S‐b‐pMS). The use of neutron reflectivity and 15 N nuclear reaction analysis in combination with suitable deuteration of the components provides information on the interface width and the distribution of the diblock copolymer at the interface. By variation of the molecular weight of the homopolymers, compatibility can be changed from compatible to incompatible. Depending on molecular weight the diblock copolymers segregate to the interface between the incompatible phases, while in weakly incompatible systems ( χ N = 3) copolymers are dissolved to a considerable amount in the homopolymer phases. At large copolymer concentration even full compatibility of components can be achieved, which is in good agreement with mean field predictions.