Comparing the morphology and phase diagram of H-shaped ABC block copolymers and linear ABC block copolymers

By using a combinatorial screening method based on the self-consistent field theory (SCFT) for polymers, we have investigated the morphology of H-shaped ABC block copolymers (A2BC2) and compared them with those of the linear ABC block copolymers. By changing the ratios of the volume fractions of two A arms and two C arms, one can obtain block copolymers with different architectures ranging from linear block copolymer to H-shaped block copolymer. By systematically varying the volume fractions of block A, B, and C, the triangle phase diagrams of the H-shaped ABC block copolymer with equal interactions among the three species are constructed. In this study, we find four different morphologies (lamellar phase (LAM), hexagonal lattice phase (HEX), core-shell hexagonal lattice phase (CSH), and two interpenetrating tetragonal lattice (TET2)). Furthermore, the order-order transitions driven by architectural change are discussed.     

Self-assembly in block polyelectrolytes

The self-consistent field theory (SCFT) complemented with the Poisson-Boltzmann equation is employed to explore self-assembly of polyelectrolyte copolymers composed of charged blocks A and neutral blocks B. We have extended SCFT to dissociating triblock copolymers and demonstrated our approach on three characteristic examples: (1) diblock copolymer (AB) melt, (2) symmetric triblock copolymer (ABA) melt, (3) triblock copolymer (ABA) solution with added electrolyte. For copolymer melts, we varied the composition (that is, the total fraction of A-segments in the system) and the charge density on A blocks and calculated the phase diagram that contains ordered mesophases of lamellar, gyroid, hexagonal, and bcc symmetries, as well as the uniform disordered phase. The phase diagram of charged block copolymer melts in the charge density--system composition coordinates is similar to the classical phase diagram of neutral block copolymer melts, where the composition and the Flory mismatch interaction parameter χ(AB) are used as variables. We found that the transitions between the polyelectrolyte mesophases with the increase of charge density occur in the same sequence, from lamellar to gyroid to hexagonal to bcc to disordered morphologies, as the mesophase transitions for neutral diblocks with the decrease of χ(AB). In a certain range of compositions, the phase diagram for charged triblock copolymers exhibits unexpected features, allowing for transitions from hexagonal to gyroid to lamellar mesophases as the charge density increases. Triblock polyelectrolyte solutions were studied by varying the charge density and solvent concentration at a fixed copolymer composition. Transitions from lamellar to gyroid and gyroid to hexagonal morphologies were observed at lower polymer concentrations than the respective transitions in the similar neutral copolymer, indicating a substantial influence of the charge density on phase behavior.     

H型(PS)2PEG(PS)2嵌段共聚物在旋涂过程中的结晶行为

采用原子力显微镜和X射线衍射等手段研究了H型(PS)₂PEG(PS)2嵌段共聚物在不同溶剂和不同浓度的溶液中旋涂所得薄膜的形貌, 并与聚乙二醇(PEG)均聚物进行了比较. 虽然(PS)₂PEG(PS)₂中PS的链长很短, 但对形貌有很大影响, PS链段的存在改变了聚合物在基底上的稳定性, 使用四氢呋喃为溶剂, 当溶液浓度较小时, 在旋涂过程中发生去润湿, 然后再发生结晶, 膜厚较大时去润湿被抑止, 所得形貌与PEG均聚物类似. 以甲苯为溶剂时, 由于PEG和PS与溶剂的相互作用不同, 共聚物在溶液中形成胶束, 从而改变了聚合物的结晶形貌.     

Model block copolymers with complex architecture

The synthesis of non linear block copolymers of the type (BA)₂B (3-miktoarm star copolymer), (BA)₃B (4-miktoarm star copolymer), (BA)₃B(AB)₃ (super H-shaped), B₂AB₂ (H-shaped) and (B,A)A(B,A) (π-shaped), where A is polyisoprene 1,4 and B is polystyrene was performed using anionic polymerization techniques and suitable chlorosilane chemistry. Characterization data showed that the samples are molecularly and compositionally homogeneous. TEM, SAXS and SANS were used to study the microphase behavior of the copolymers. For all samples, the results were analyzed in the frame of the theoretical predictions given by Milner and taking into account the results from previous studies on the A₂B and A₃B miktoarm star copolymers.     

Highly Symmetric Patchy Multicompartment Nanoparticles from the Self-Assembly of ABC Linear Terpolymers in C-Selective Solvents

Multicompartment micelles, especially those with highly symmetric surfaces such as patchy-like, patchy, and Janus micelles, have tremendous potential as building blocks of hierarchical multifunctional nanomaterials. One of the most versatile and powerful methods to obtain patchy multicompartment micelles is by the solution-state self-assembly of linear triblock copolymers. In this article, we applied the simulated annealing method to study the self-assembly of ABC linear terpolymers in C-selective solvents. Simulations predict a variety of patchy and patchy-like multicompartment micelles with high symmetry and also yield a detailed phase diagram to reveal how to control the patchy multicompartment micelle morphologies precisely. The phase diagram demonstrates that the internal segregated micellar structure depends on the ratio between the volume fractions of the two solvophobic blocks and their incompatibility, whereas the overall micellar shape depends on the copolymer concentration. The relationship between the interfacial energy, stretching energy of chains and the micellar morphology, micellar morphological transition are elucidated by computing the average contact number among the species, the mean square end-to-end distances of the whole terpolymers, the AB blocks in the terpolymers, the AB diblock copolymers, and angle distribution of terpolymers. The anchoring effect of the solvophilic C block on micellar structures is also examined by comparing the morphologies formed from ABC terpolymers and AB diblock copolymers.     

Nucleation and crystallization of H-shaped (PS)2PEG(PS)2 block copolymers

<正>A series of H-shaped(PS)_2PEG(PS)_2 block copolymers with different PS chain lengths were prepared.The influence of different confinements active on the crystallization and self-nucleation(SN) behavior of the PEG blocks was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC).When the content of the crystalline block was high,a classical SN behavior was obtained.The block copolymer with PEG content of 49%(by weight) showed a classical SN behavior with a narrow self-nucleation domain and had bimodal crystallization exotherms.When the PEG dispersed as separated microdomains in the block copolymer,the self-nucleation domain disappeared and only annealing was observed.     

α,ω支化共聚物的自组织形态模拟

建立了适用于α,ω支化共聚物的自洽场理论. 通过数值求解自洽场方程, 模拟了H型、π型α,ω支化共聚物的自组织形态, 模拟结果与实验相一致. 研究了杂臂型α,ω支化共聚物的各种自组织形态及相分离程度与支链体积分率的关系, 讨论了支化点在微相间的密度分布.     

Quantitative SAXS analysis of the P123/water/ethanol ternary phase diagram

The ternary phase diagram of the amphiphilic triblock copolymer PEO-PPO-PEO ((EO)(20)(PO)(70)(EO)(20) commercialized under the generic name P123), water, and ethanol has been investigated at constant temperature (T = 23 degrees C) by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The microstructure resulting from the self-assembly of the PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymer varies from micelles in solution to various types of liquid crystalline phases such as cubic, 3D hexagonal close packed spheres (HCPS), 2D hexagonal, and lamellar when the concentration of the polymer is increased. In the isotropic liquid phase, the micellar structural parameters are obtained as a function of the water-ethanol ratio and block copolymer concentration by fitting the scattering data to a model involving core-shell form factor and a hard sphere structure factor of interaction. The micellar core, the aggregation number, and the hard sphere interaction radius decrease when increasing the ethanol/water ratio in the mixed solvent. We show that the fraction of ethanol present in the core is responsible for the swelling of the PPO blocks. In the different liquid crystalline phases, structural parameters such as lattice spacing, interfacial area of PEO block, and aggregation number are also evaluated. In addition to classical phases such as lamellar, 2D hexagonal, and liquid isotropic phases, we have observed a two-phase region in which cubic Fm3m and P6(3)mmc (hexagonally close packing of spheres (HCPS)) phases coexist. This appears at 30% (w/w) of P123 in pure water and with 5% (w/w) of ethanol. At 10% (w/w) ethanol, only the HCPS phase remains present.     

Complete mapping of the morphologies of some linear and graft fluorinated co-oligomers in an aprotic solvent by dissipative particle dynamics

The mesoscopic morphologies of linear and graft fluorinated block copolymers of ABCBA and C:BA types, respectively, have been investigated by using dissipative particle dynamics method. Self-assembly in a selective solvent has been examined by the introduction of dimethylformamide as the choice of solvent. By comparing the solubility parameters calculated using atomistic simulations, fluorine-containing segments are found to be immiscible both with other segments of the polymer and with the solvent. Morphologies of the pure linear and graft copolymers were lamellar and cylindrical, respectively. Interfacial tension versus concentration curves have been used to explain the self-assembly behavior of copolymers in solution, as well as to predict the kinetic mechanisms responsible for this behavior.     

Synthesis of ABA‐triblock and star‐diblock copolymers with poly(2‐adamantyl vinyl ether) and poly(n‐butyl vinyl ether) segments: New thermoplastic elastomers composed solely of poly(vinyl ether) backbones

ABA‐type triblock copolymers and AB‐type star diblock copolymers with poly(2‐adamantyl vinyl ether) [poly(2‐AdVE)] hard outer segments and poly(n‐butyl vinyl ether) [poly(NBVE)] soft inner segments were synthesized by sequential living cationic copolymerization. Although both the two polymer segments were composed solely of poly(vinyl ether) backbones and hydrocarbon side chains, they were segregated into microphase‐separated structure, so that the block copolymers formed thermoplastic elastomers. Both the ABA‐type triblock copolymers and the AB‐type star diblock copolymers exhibited rubber elasticity over wide temperature range. For example, the ABA‐type triblock copolymers showed rubber elasticity from about ?53 °C to about 165 °C and the AB‐type star diblock copolymer did from about ?47 °C to 183 °C with a similar composition of poly(2‐AdVE) and poly(NBVE) segments in the dynamic mechanical analysis. The AB‐type star diblock copolymers exhibited higher tensile strength and elongation at break than the ABA‐type triblock copolymers. The thermal decomposition temperatures of both the block copolymers were as high as 321–331 °C, indicating their high thermal stability. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Effect of poly(acrylic acid) block length distribution on polystyrene-b-poly(acrylic acid) block copolymer aggregates in solution. 2. A partial phase diagram

The first paper of the series, which focused on the effect of polydispersity on the self-assembly of block copolymer vesicles, showed that an increase in the width of the poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) block length distribution resulted in a decrease in the size of the vesicles formed. In this paper, the rest of the phase diagram is explored. For the present study, a series of polystyrene-b-poly(acrylic acid) copolymers of an identical polystyrene length of 325 units but of varying degrees of polymerization of PAA was synthesized. Mixtures of the copolymers were made to artificially broaden the molecular weight distribution of PAA at a constant number average of 48 in the polydispersity index (PDI) range of 1.1-3.3. The mixtures were dissolved in dioxane, and water was added slowly to predetermined amounts. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe aggregate morphologies at different water contents and PAA PDIs. At low water contents, dynamic light scattering was also used to measure the sizes of the aggregates. A partial phase diagram as a function of the water content and PAA PDI was obtained. Large compound micelles and spherical micelles (average diameter of 40 nm) were found at low water contents; however, at a water content of 12% (w/w), a continuum of morphologies from spheres to rods to vesicles was found with increasing PAA PDI. In addition, each copolymer was investigated by itself under identical conditions to those used for the mixtures to determine if there was any segregation of the individual polymers into separate aggregates. No evidence for such segregation was found.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly (2-vinylpridine)-b-poly (t-butyl methacrylate)

The synthesis of well defined and monodisperse (M_w/M_n ≤ 1.2) narrow molecular weight distribution poly (2-vinylpyridine)-poly (t-butyl methacrylate) (P2VP-PTBMA) AB block copolymers is carried out by initiation of 2-vinylpyridine polymerization by 1,1-diphenylhexyllithium in THF at-78°C, followed by addition of TBMA and termination at ?78°C using MeOH. The formation of the BAB block copolymer is carried out in a similar fashion except that 1,4-dilithio-1,1,4,4-tetraphenylbutane is used as initiator. The corresponding synthesis of P2VP-PMMA block copolymers is carried in a similar manner, except that 1-2 equivalents of TBMA is used to end-functionalize the living P2VP before the addition of MMA. Without the addition of TBMA, trimodal molecular weight distributions in P2VP-b-PMMA are obtained. All the block copolymers are characterized by Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

嵌段序列对线型ABC三嵌段高分子微相分离动力学的影响

用动态密度泛函理论研究了嵌段序列对线型ABC三嵌段高分子微相分离动力学机理的影响. 针对一个典型的线型ABC三嵌段高分子, 通过系统地改变各嵌段的体积分数, 我们给出了嵌段序列为ABC 和BAC时, 关于微相分离机理的三元相图. 发现除各嵌段的平均组分、相互作用能外, 嵌段序列也影响其微相分离的机理和最终的相结构. 此外, 嵌段序列的变化还导致了三元相图对称性的破缺.     

The synthesis and solution behaviors of novel amphiphilic block copolymers based on d-galactopyranose and 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate

A series of novel stimuli-responsive AB, ABA, and BAB type block copolymers based on 6-O-methacryloyl-1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-d-galactopyranose (MAIpGP:A block) and 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA: B block) were synthesized via ATRP techniques using ethyl 2-bromoisobutyrate (EBiB) as monofunctional ATRP initiator in the case of diblock copolymer and diethyl meso-2,5-dibromoadipate (DEDBA) as bifunctional ATRP initiator in the case of triblock copolymers. The PMAIpGP blocks of the AB, ABA, and BAB type linear block copolymers were converted to water soluble PMAGP blocks via deprotection process under mild acidic conditions. Both proton NMR and DLS studies demonstrated that block copolymers were temperature-sensitive, whereby the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of polymers varied with the polymerization degrees of comonomers in the block copolymers. LCST was determined to be between ∼35 °C and 55 °C depending on the type and the comonomer compositions of the block copolymers. It was observed that an increase on the percentage of hydrophilic PMAGP block in block copolymer caused an increase on the LCST value as expected.     

聚丁二烯－b－甲基丙烯酸甲酯共聚物的聚集态研究

聚丁二烯－ｂ－甲基丙烯酸甲酯共聚物的聚集态研究周庆业,张邦华,宋谋道,何炳林（南开大学高分子化学研究所,天津,３０００７１）关键词共聚物,相分离,聚集态结构嵌段共聚物按其组成、合成及成型条件的不同可形成丰富的相结构［１］,其动态力学性能,如在损耗模量...     

聚醚树枝体线性聚(N-异丙基丙烯酰胺)不对称嵌段共聚物的 合成及自组装

采用原子转移聚合方法合成了聚N-异丙基丙烯酰胺和聚醚树技体的不对嵌段共聚物Dendr.PE-PNI-PAM。实验结果表明Dendr.PE-PNIPAM分子在水中能通过疏水缔合作用形成具有双分子膜结构的超分子聚集体。临界缔合浓度(CAC)、聚集体的大小及形貌对树枝体的代数具有明显的依赖关系。该聚集体对温度刺激具有响应性,并在人体体温温度(37.5℃)发生相转变。在高于相转变温度时,Dendr.PE-PNIPAM分子形成管状、带状等多重形态的超级结构的聚集体。     

Effect of polydispersity on the phase diagrams of linear ABC triblock copolymers in two dimensions

By using a two-dimensional (2D) real-space self-consistent field theory, we present the phase diagrams of monodisperse ABC triblock copolymers in a three-component triangle style with the interaction energies given between the distinct blocks; this system displays richer phase behavior when compared with the corresponding diblock copolymers. Polydispersity of the end or middle blocks in the ABC linear block copolymer chains results in a completely different phase diagram. The presence of a polydisperse end block may cause strong segregation to occur among the three distinct components and larger domain sizes of the dispersed phases; a polydisperse middle block may allow a connection to form between the two phases of the two end blocks.     

Temperature tunable micellization of polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) at Si-ionic liquid interface

Highly ordered and stable micelles formed from both symmetric and asymmetric block copolymers of polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) at the Si-ionic liquid (IL) interface have been investigated by scanning force microscopy (SFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate IL, a selective and temperature-tunable solvent for the P2VP block, was used and gave rise to block copolymer micelles having different morphologies that strongly depended on the annealing temperature. The effects of film thickness, molecular weight of block copolymers, and experimental conditions, such as preannealing, rinsing, and substrate properties, on the morphologies of block copolymer micelles were also studied. In addition, spherical micelles consisting of PS core and P2VP shell could also be obtained by core-corona inversion by annealing the as-coated micellar film in the IL at high temperatures. The possible mechanism for micelle formation is discussed.     

The phase diagram of the system poly(styrene-block-n-butyl methacrylate)

 The morphological phase diagram of poly(styrene-block-n-butyl methacrylate), P(S-b-n-BMA), has been investigated in detail using thermal analysis, microscopy, rheology and scattering techniques. The system shows an upper critical order transition as well as a lower critical order transition (LCOT). For the first time, morphologies of the ordered system at higher temperatures (LCOT) as well as of a block copolymer system frozen-in during the phase separation process are reported. The Flory–Huggins interaction parameter, χ depends not only on temperature, but also on the composition and the molecular weight of the block copolymers, resulting in an asymmetrical phase diagram. Furthermore, the deuteration of the PS block seems to increase the χ parameter of the P[(d ₈)S-b-n-BMA] system, reflecting the influence of small changes in architecture on phase behavior. The phase behavior and morphology of PS-b-PBMA are summarized in a phase diagram which is, however, quite complex and therefore needs further discussion. The equilibrium morphologies displayed are influenced by the temperature-dependent-conformation term as well as by the composition term. Received: 7 December 1999/Accepted: 28 April 2000     

Synthesis and Characterization of New Block Copolymers with Poly(ethylene oxide) and Poly[3(S)‐sec‐butylmorpholine‐2,5‐dione] Sequences

Four different types of polydepsipeptide‐polyether block copolymers were synthesized via ring‐opening polymerization of 3(S)‐sec‐butylmorpholine‐2,5‐dione (BMD) in the presence of hydroxytelechelic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) with stannous octoate as a catalyst.The polymers were an AB block copolymer, an ABA block copolymer, an (A)₂B star shaped copolymer and an (A)₂B(A)₂ copolymer, where A is a poly[3(S)‐sec‐butylmorpholine‐2,5‐dione] (PBMD) and B a poly(ethylene oxide) block. The molar ratio of BMD to PEO was varied to obtain copolymers with different weight fractions of PBMD blocks ranging from 59.8 to 96.7 wt.‐%. The crystallinity of the PEO phase in the copolymers decreases in the following order: AB > (A)₂B > ABA > (A)₂B(A)₂ . The static contact angle θ decreases with increasing PEO content in the block copolymers.