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What Morphologies Do We Want? – TEM Images from Dilute Diblock Copolymer Solutions
Author(s) -
Zhao Hong,
Chen Qianjin,
Hong Liangzhi,
Zhao Lei,
Wang Jianfang,
Wu Chi
Publication year - 2011
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/macp.201000696
Subject(s) - copolymer , polymer , materials science , morphology (biology) , transmission electron microscopy , polymer science , block (permutation group theory) , polymer chemistry , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , composite material , geology , mathematics , paleontology , geometry , engineering
The formation of various exotic morphologies of block copolymers in dilute solutions has often been claimed on the basis of TEM imaging. Do they really exist in solutions or are they just some kinetically frozen structures arising from TEM sample preparation? It is shown that different morphologies are formed due to a competition between different time scales. More and more people are realizing that it is necessary to use cryo‐TEM to ascertain a novel morphology in polymer solutions, but not everyone is able to access a modern cryo‐TEM. Our current study serves as an alarm to those who are interested in morphologies in block copolymer solutions that it is necessary to combine different methods, such as LLS, freeze‐drying, and TEM, in their studies.