A scheme to predict the morphology of diblock copolymers and their blends

Diblock copolymers of α‐methylstyrene and isoprene were synthesized anionically. The morphology of the copolymers and of their blends with the homopolymers was studied by transmission electron microscopy. Based on this, a scheme is proposed to predict the morphological behavior associated with the blending of block copolymers with homopolymers. Two blending systems are discussed. They are (i) copolymer AB with homopolymers A and B and (ii) copolymers AB of two different molecular weights with homopolymer A. Two factors are considered to be the most crucial. One is the morphology of the predominant polymer (50 wt %), and the other is the weight ratio of the blends. The solubilizing effect of the block copolymer AB in the blend must also be taken into account. When the two copolymers are blended, the one with lower molecular weight was emulsified by higher one and restricted around the longer chain. It is shown that the present scheme is successful in predicting the morphology of diblock copolymers and their blends.