Poly(styrene‐b‐tetrahydrofuran)/clay nanocomposites by mechanistic transformation

Synthesis of poly(styrene‐block‐tetrahydrofuran) (PSt‐b‐PTHF) block copolymer on the surfaces of intercalated and exfoliated silicate (clay) layers by mechanistic transformation was described. First, the polystyrene/montmorillonite (PSt/MMT) nanocomposite was synthesized by in situ atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) from initiator moieties immobilized within the silicate galleries of the clay particles. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed the existence of both intercalated and exfoliated structures in the nanocomposite. Then, the PSt‐b‐PTHF/MMT nanocomposite was prepared by mechanistic transformation from ATRP to cationic ring opening polymerization (CROP). The TGA thermogram of the PSt‐b‐PTHF/MMT nanocomposite has two decomposition stages corresponding to PTHF and PSt segments. All nanocomposites exhibit enhanced thermal stabilities compared with the virgin polymer segments. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2190–2197, 2009     

Poly(styrene‐b‐isobutylene) multiarm star‐block copolymers

Multiarm star‐branched polymers based on poly(styrene‐b‐isobutylene) (PS‐PIB) block copolymer arms were synthesized under controlled/living cationic polymerization conditions using the 2‐chloro‐2‐propylbenzene (CCl)/TiCl₄/pyridine (Py) initiating system and divinylbenzene (DVB) as gel‐core‐forming comonomer. To optimize the timing of isobutylene (IB) addition to living PS⊕, the kinetics of styrene (St) polymerization at −80°C were measured in both 60 : 40 (v : v) methyl cyclohexane (MCHx) : MeCl and 60 : 40 hexane : MeCl cosolvents. For either cosolvent system, it was found that the polymerizations followed first‐order kinetics with respect to the monomer and the number of actively growing chains remained invariant. The rate of polymerization was slower in MCHx : MeCl (k_app = 2.5 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹) compared with hexane : MeCl (k_app = 5.6 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹) ([CCl]_o = [TiCl₄]/15 = 3.64 × 10⁻³M; [Py] = 4 × 10⁻³M; [St]_o = 0.35M). Intermolecular alkylation reactions were observed at [St]_o = 0.93M but could be suppressed by avoiding very high St conversion and by setting [St]_o ≤ 0.35M. For St polymerization, k_app = 1.1 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ ([CCl]_o = [TiCl₄]/15 = 1.82 × 10⁻³M; [Py] = 4 × 10⁻³M; [St]_o = 0.35M); this was significantly higher than that observed for IB polymerization (k_app = 3.0 × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹; [CCl]_o = [Py] = [TiCl₄]/15 = 1.86 × 10⁻³M; [IB]_o = 1.0M). Blocking efficiencies were higher in hexane : MeCl compared with MCHx : MeCl cosolvent system. Star formation was faster with PS‐PIB arms compared with PIB homopolymer arms under similar conditions. Using [DVB] = 5.6 × 10⁻²M = 10 times chain end concentration, 92% of PS‐PIB arms (M_n,PS = 2600 and M_n,PIB = 13,400 g/mol) were linked within 1 h at −80°C with negligible star–star coupling. It was difficult to achieve complete linking of all the arms prior to the onset of star–star coupling. Apparently, the presence of the St block allows the PS‐PIB block copolymer arms to be incorporated into growing star polymers by an additional mechanism, namely, electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS), which leads to increased rates of star formation and greater tendency toward star–star coupling. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 1629–1641, 1999     

Morphological mapping and analysis of poly[styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐styrene] and its clay nanocomposites by atomic force microscopy

Atomic force microscopy was successfully applied for comprehensive nanoscale surface and bulk morphological characterization of thermoplastic elastomeric triblock copolymers: poly[styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐styrene] (SEBS) having different block lengths and their clay based nanocomposites. Commercially available Cloisite®20A and octadecyl (C₁₈) ammonium ion modified montmorillonite clay (OC) prepared in our laboratory by cation exchange reaction were used. The phase detected images in the tapping mode atomic force microscopy exhibited a well‐ordered phase separated morphology consisting of bright nanophasic domains corresponding to hard component and darker domains corresponding to softer rubbery ethylene‐co‐butylene (PEB) lamella for all the neat triblock copolymers. This lamellar morphology gave a domain width of 19–23 nm for styrenic nanophase and 12–15 nm for ethylene‐co‐butylene phase of SEBS having end to mid block length ratio of 30:70 and block molecular weights of 8800–41,200–8800. On increasing the ratio of block lengths of the polymer matrix and the selectivity of the solvent toward the blocks used for casting, the morphological features of the resultant films altered along with change in domain thickness. The phase images showed position and distribution of the brightest clay stacks in the dark‐bright contrast of the base matrix of the nanocomposite. Exfoliated and intercalated‐exfoliated morphology obtained in the case of Cloisite®20A and OC‐based SEBS nanocomposites, respectively, is further supported by X‐ ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies. The lamellar thickness of the soft phases widened to 50–75 nm, where the layered clay silicates (40–54 nm in length and 4–17 nm in width) were embedded in the soft rubbery phases in the block copolymeric matrix of the nanocomposite. The marginally thicker width of the hard styrenic phases and slightly shrinked width of the soft rubbery lamella can be observed from the regions where no nanofiller is present. Distinct differences in bulk morphologies of the nanocomposites prepared in the melt and the solution processes were obtained with nanocomposites. The presence of clay particles was evident from the almost zero pull‐off and snap‐in force in the force‐distance analysis of SEBS based nanocomposite. This analysis also revealed stronger tip interaction resulting in highest contact and adhesive forces with the softer PEB region relative to the harder PS region. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 52–66, 2007     

Crystallization and morphology of poly(ethylene oxide‐b‐lactide) crystalline–crystalline diblock copolymers

The crystallization behaviors and morphology of asymmetric crystalline–crystalline diblock copolymers poly(ethylene oxide‐lactide) (PEO‐b‐PLLA) were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), and microscopic techniques (polarized optical microscopy (POM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM)). Both blocks of PEO₅‐b‐PLLA₁₆ can be crystallized, which was confirmed by WAXD, while PEO block in PEO₅‐b‐PLLA₃₀ is difficult to crystallize because of the confinement induced by the high glass transition temperature and crystallization of PLLA block with the microphase separation of the block copolymer. Comparing with the crystallization and morphology of PLLA homopolymer and differences between the two copolymers, we studied the influence of PEO block and microphase separation on the crystallization and morphology of PLLA block. The boundary temperature (T_b) was observed, which distinguishes the crystallization into high‐ and low‐temperature ranges, the growth rate and morphology were quite different between the ranges. Crystalline morphologies including banded spherulite, dendritic crystal, and dense branching in PEO₅‐b‐PLLA₁₆ copolymer were formed. The typical morphology of dendritic crystals including two different sectors were observed in PEO₅‐b‐PLLA₃₀ copolymer, which can be explained by secondary nucleation, chain growth direction, and phase separation between the two blocks during the crystallization process. Lozenge‐shaped crystals of PLLA with screw dislocation were also observed employing AFM, but the crystalline morphology of PEO block was not observed using microscopy techniques because of its small size. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 1400–1411, 2008     

Synthesis of graphene oxide supported copper–cobalt ferrite material functionalized by arginine amino acid as a new high–performance catalyst

A novel Cu_0.5Co_0.5Fe₂O₄@Arg–GO catalytic system was successfully prepared by immobilization of copper substituted cobalt ferrite nanoparticles on arginine–grafted graphene oxide nanosheets, in which ferrite moiety acts as an oxidation catalyst and arginine has the role of base catalyst. Also, arginine amino acid was used to modify the surface of graphene oxide nanosheets which the prepared support can improve dispersion and uniform loading of nanoparticles. The prepared nanocomposite was characterized by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP–OES), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT–IR), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), x–ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. The prepared Cu_0.5Co_0.5Fe₂O₄@Arg–GO nanocomposite was used as an efficient catalyst for one–pot tandem oxidative synthesis of 2–phenylbenzimidazole derivatives in good yields.     

Shape Memory Properties in Poly(ethylene oxide)–Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Copolymers

Memory effects of several copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) were illustrated with photos, determined with shrinkage experiments and characterized by the recovery of samples to their original figures. Copolymers of appropriate composition could undertake an approximately full recovery which is tightly related to the annealing temperature at which shrinkage of samples occurs to some extent. Melting and recrystallization of PEO segments may be responsible for the memory effect. The memory properties of samples almost kept unchanged after many fatigue cycles (e.g. 15–20 cycles), which could make these copolymers useful in practical applications as novel shape memory materials. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Relationship between morphology structure and composition of polycaprolactone/Poly(ethylene oxide)/Polylactide copolymeric microspheres

A novel tri‐component copolymer, polycaprolactone/poly(ethylene oxide)/polylactide (PCEL) was synthesized. The effect of the chemical composition on physical properties was investigated by using NMR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X‐ray diffraction. Both the soft segment poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and polycaprolactone (PCL) could enhance the mobility of polymer chains and decrease the crystallizability of the copolymers. The polymeric microspheres, which are of interest for drug delivery systems, were prepared using an emulsification‐solvent evaporation technique. By scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), the surface morphology of the microspheres was studied. It was found that the presence of PEO segment could improve the hydrophilicity of the copolymers and the morphology of the polymeric microspheres could be altered by adjusting the chemical composition. The accumulation of PEO segments on the outer surface of the polymeric microspheres was proven by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It had also been proven that the PCL segment could facilitate the movement of PEO segment to the outer surface. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Zwitterionic Iron Oxide (γ‐Fe2O3) Nanoparticles Based on P(2VP‐grad‐AA) Copolymers

This study presents the synthesis and characterization of zwitterionic core–shell hybrid nanoparticles consisting of a core of iron oxide multicore nanoparticles (MCNPs, γ‐Fe₂O₃) and a shell of sultonated poly(2‐vinylpyridine‐grad‐acrylic acid) copolymers. The gradient copolymers are prepared by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of 2‐vinylpyridine (2VP), followed by the addition of tert‐butyl acrylate and subsequent hydrolysis. Grafting of P(2VP‐grad‐AA) onto MCNP results in P(2VP‐grad‐AA)@MCNP, followed by quaternization using 1,3‐propanesultone—leading to P(2VP_S‐grad‐AA)@MCNP with a zwitterionic shell. The resulting particles are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and thermogravimetric analysis measurements, showing particle diameters of ≈70–90 nm and an overall content of the copolymer shell of ≈10%. Turbidity measurements indicate increased stability toward secondary aggregation after coating if compared to the pristine MCNP and additional cytotoxicity tests do not reveal any significant influence on cell viability.

     

Thermo‐responsive shape memory behavior of poly(styrene‐b‐isoprene‐b‐styrene)/ethylene‐1‐octene copolymer thermoplastic elastomer blends

Thermally‐triggered shape memory polymers (SMPs) are smart materials, which are capable of changing their shapes when they are exposed a heat stimulant. Blending semi‐crystalline and elastomeric polymers is an easy and low‐cost way to obtain thermo‐responsive SMPs. In this work, novel poly(ethylene‐co‐1‐octene) (PEO) and poly(styrene‐b‐isoprene‐b‐styrene) (SIS) thermoplastic elastomer blends were prepared via melt blending method. The morphological, mechanical, rheological properties and shape memory behaviours of the blends were investigated in detail. In morphological analysis, co‐continuous morphology was found for 50 wt% PEO/50 wt% SIS and 60 wt% PEO/40 wt% SIS (60PEO/40SIS) blends. The shape memory analysis performing by dynamic mechanical analyzer showed that the 60PEO/40SIS blend also exhibited the optimum shape memory performance with 95.74% shape fixing and 98.98% shape recovery. Qualitatively shape memory analysis in hot‐water pointed out that the amount of semi‐crystalline PEO promotes shape fixing ability of the blends whereas SIS content enhances shape recovery capability. Although the SIS and PEO are immiscible polymers, the blends of them were exhibited good elastomeric properties with regard to tensile strength, toughness, and elongation at break.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(ethylene oxide)/polylactide/poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymer

Poly(ethylene oxide/polylactide/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO/PL/PEO) triblock copolymers, in which each block is connected by an ester bond, were synthesized by a coupling reaction between PL and PEO. Hydroxyl‐terminated PLs with various molecular weights were synthesized and used as hard segments. Hydroxyl‐terminated PEOs were converted to the corresponding acid halides via their acid group and used as a soft segment. Triblock copolymers were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H NMR, and gel permeation chromatography. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X‐ray diffractometry of PEO/PL/PEO triblock copolymers suggested that PL and PEO blocks were phase‐separated and that the crystallization behavior of the PL block was markedly affected by the presence of the PEO block. PEO/PL/PEO triblock copolymers with PEO 0.75k had two exothermic peaks (by DSC), and both peaks were related to the crystallization of PL. According to thermogravimetric analysis, PEO/PL/PEO triblock copolymer showed a higher thermal stability than PL or PEO. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 2545–2555, 2002     

Conducting and magnetic behaviors of monodispersed iron oxide/polypyrrole nanocomposites synthesized by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization

This study describes the preparation of nanocomposites fabricated from monodispersed iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) and polypyrrole (PPy) by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization. The monodispersed 4 nm Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles which served as cores were synthesized using the thermal decomposition of a mixture of Iron (III) acetylacetonate and oleic acid in the presence of high boiling point solvents. The resulting nanoparticles were further dispersed in an aqueous solution with anionic surfactant sodium bis(2‐ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate to form micelle/Fe₃O₄ spherical templates that avoid the aggregation of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles during the further preparation of the nanocomposites. The Fe₃O₄/PPy nanocomposites were then synthesized via in situ chemical oxidative polymerization on the surface of the spherical templates. Both field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images indicate that the resulting Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles are close to spherical dots with a particle size of about 4 nm and a standard deviation of less than 5% (4 ± 0.2 nm). Structural and morphological analysis using FESEM and HRTEM showed that the fabricated Fe₃O₄/PPy nanocomposites are core (Fe₃O₄)‐shell (PPy) structures. Morphology of the nanocomposites shows a remarkable change from spherical to tube‐like structures as the content of monodispersed Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles increases from 9% up to 24 wt %. The conductivities of these Fe₃O₄/PPy nanocomposites are about six times higher than those of PPy without Fe₃O₄. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4647–4655, 2007     

Synthesis of amphiphilic block–graft copolymers [poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene‐co‐butylene‐b‐styrene)‐g‐poly(acrylic acid)] and their aggregation in water

Novel block–graft copolymers [poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene‐co‐butylene‐b‐styrene)‐g‐poly(tert‐butyl acrylate)] were synthesized by the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of tert‐butyl acrylate (tBA) with chloromethylated poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene‐co‐butylene‐b‐styrene) (SEBS) as a macromolecular initiator. The copolymers were composed of triblock SEBS as the backbone and tBA as grafts attached to the polystyrene end blocks. The macromolecular initiator (chloromethylated SEBS) was prepared by successive hydrogenation and chloromethylation of SEBS. The degree of chloromethylation, ranging from 1.6 to 36.5 mol % according to the styrene units in SEBS, was attained with adjustments in the amount of SnCl₄ and the reaction time with a slight effect on the monodispersity of the starting material (SEBS). The ATRP mechanism of the copolymerization was supported by the kinetic data and the linear increase in the molecular weights of the products with conversion. The graft density was controlled with changes in the functionality of the chloromethylated SEBS. The average length of the graft chain, ranging from a few repeat units to about two hundred, was adjusted with changes in the reaction time and alterations in the initiator/catalyst/ligand molar ratio. Incomplete initiation was detected at a low conversion; moreover, for initiators with low functionality, sluggish initiation was overcome with suitable reaction conditions. The block–graft copolymers were hydrolyzed into amphiphilic ones containing poly(acrylic acid) grafts. The aggregation behavior of the amphiphilic copolymers was studied with dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy, and the aggregates showed a variety of morphologies. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1253–1266, 2002     

Self‐Assembly of Poly(vinylpyridine‐b‐oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) Diblock Copolymers

Poly(oligoethylene glycol)‐poly(2‐vinylpyridine) is a model diblock for studying the effect of block‐localized charge on block copolymer self‐assembly because in the absence of charge the polymers are perfectly miscible, and upon protonation of the vinylpyridine block the polymer undergoes an order–disorder transition. Seven model block copolymers with molecular weights of approximately 60 kDa containing poly(2‐vinylpyridine) volume fractions spanning 0.069–0.700 were synthesized using reversible addition fragmentation transfer polymerization and then studied to understand the effect of protonation level, diblock composition, and temperature on the location of the ordering transition and the type of nanostructures formed in a charge asymmetric system. All of the polymers displayed lower critical solution‐type behavior, with the order–disorder transition temperature decreasing with increasing acid content. Polymers with symmetric compositions showed the highest degree of incompatibility for a given degree of protonation, and the observed morphologies for all polymers were consistent with those observed at similar compositions for classical hydrophobic block copolymers. The observed protonation‐induced phase transition can be explained by the shift of the Flory–Huggins parameter due to the alternation of the identity of monomers, consistent with the prediction of Nakamura and Wang's theory. The use of polyvalent ions promotes self‐assembly at lower concentrations, consistent with ionic crosslinking effects between polymer chains that are promoted at high concentration due to exchange entropy in crosslinked polymers. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017 , 55, 1181–1190     

Effect of incorporated CdS nanoparticles on the crystallinity and morphology of poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene oxide) diblock copolymers

Surface‐modified CdS nanoparticles selectively dispersed in hexagonally packed poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) cylinders of poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene oxide) (PSEO) block copolymers were prepared. The photoluminescence and ultraviolet–visible characteristics of the presynthesized CdS nanoparticles in N,N‐dimethylformamide and in PEO domains of the PSEO block copolymers were determined. Because of strong interactions between the CdS nanoparticles and PEO chains, as shown by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the incorporation of the CdS nanoparticles prevented the PEO cylinders from properly crystallizing; this was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction measurements. The intercylinder distance between the swollen and reduced‐crystallinity CdS/PEO cylinders in turn increased, as confirmed by small‐angle X‐ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy. At a high CdS concentration (43 wt % or 8.3 vol % with respect to PEO), however, the hexagonally packed cylindrical nanostructure of the PSEO diblock copolymers was destroyed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1220–1229, 2005     

Electrical conductivity of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/expanded graphite nanocomposites prepared by in situ polymerization

Nanocomposites based on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and expanded graphite (EG) have been prepared by in situ polymerization. Morphology of the nanocomposites has been examined by electronic microscopy. The relationship between the preparation method, morphology, and electrical conductivity was studied. Electronic microscopy images reveal that the nanocomposites exhibit well dispersed graphene platelets. The incorporation of EG to the PET results in a sharp insulator‐to‐conductor transition with a percolation threshold (?_c) as low as 0.05 wt %. An electrical conductivity of 10^?3 S/cm was achieved for 0.4 wt % of EG. The low percolation threshold and relatively high electrical conductivity are attributed to the high aspect ratio, large surface area, and uniform dispersion of the EG sheets in PET matrix. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012     

Morphology and mechanical properties of styrene–butadiene–styrene/poly(methyl methacrylate–co-n-butyl acrylate) interpenetrating polymer networks

A series of interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) based on styrenic triblock copolymer, polystyrene-b-polybutadiene-b-polystyrene (SBS), and random copolymer of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and n-butyl acrylate (nBA) were prepared. Corresponding semi-IPNs of the same composition without a crosslinking agent were also synthesized for comparison, and toluene was used as a common solvent to investigate the influence of the presence of the common solvent during the IPN synthesis. Throughout the compositions of IPNs tested, SBS appears to form a continuous phase and the domain size decreases gradually with the increase in SBS concentration. IPNs are found to have finer domain sizes than semi-IPNs because of the higher intermixing between polymers. The microstructure of SBS could be observed using highly magnified transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The dynamic mechanical behavior of the IPNs shows the inward shifting of two glass transition peaks, corresponding to polybutadiene phase of SBS and p(MMA–co-nBA) phase respectively, which indicates enhanced intermixing. The increase in loss tangent of styrene blocks of SBS by the addition of common solvent indicates the structural change of the microstructure in SBS, and this structural change can also be confirmed through the observation of the morphology of SBS-rich phase with higher magnification. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of Domain Size on Toughness of Poly(styrene‐block‐butadiene) Star Block Copolymer/Polystyrene Blends

Summary: The toughness of poly(styrene‐block‐butadiene) star block copolymer/polystyrene (PS) blends have been investigated using the essential‐work‐of‐fracture approach. The blends show a co‐continuous or layer‐like structure of polystyrene‐rich and polybutadiene‐rich domains arising from the used extrusion process. A tough‐to‐brittle transition at a critical domain size of polystyrene‐rich domains of about 50 nm and a maximum in the non‐essential work of fracture at 20–30% PS (co‐continuous morphology) have been found.

Non‐essential work of fracture as a function of the mean thickness of polystyrene‐rich domains, demonstrating a tough‐to‐brittle transition at a critical domain thickness about 50 nm. AFM micrograph of a star block copolymer/PS‐blend containing 40% PS.     

Control of self‐organized low‐dimensional morphology in poly(styrene‐b‐4vinylpyridine)/polystyrene blend thin films

The surface morphologies of poly(styrene‐b‐4vinylpyridine) (PS‐b‐P4VP) diblock copolymer and homopolystyrene (hPS) binary blend thin films were investigated by atomic force microscopy as a function of total volume fraction of PS (?_PS) in the mixture. It was found that when hPS was added into symmetric PS‐b‐P4VP diblock copolymers, the surface morphology of this diblock copolymer was changed to a certain degree. With ?_PS increasing at first, hPS was solubilized into the corresponding domains of block copolymer and formed cylinders. Moreover, the more solubilized the hPS, the more cylinders exist. However, when the limit was reached, excessive hPS tended to separate from the domains independently instead of solubilizing into the corresponding domains any longer, that is, a macrophase separation occurred. A model describing transitions of these morphologies with an increase in ?_PS is proposed. The effect of composition on the phase morphology of blend films when graphite is used as a substrate is also investigated. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 3496–3504, 2004     

Boehmite nanorod‐reinforced‐polyethylenes and ethylene/1‐octene thermoplastic elastomer nanocomposites prepared by in situ olefin polymerization and melt compounding

Nanocomposites of polyethylene (HDPE) and poly(ethylene‐co‐1‐octene) thermoplastic elastomers, both containing boehmites with variable sizes, shapes, and aspect ratios (1–20), were prepared by means of in situ olefin polymerization and melt compounding. The in situ olefin polymerization in the presence of boehmite nanorods afforded nanocomposites containing 4–8 wt % of boehmite. In an alternative process, the in situ olefin polymerization was used to produce polyolefins with high boehmite content of 50 wt % as masterbatches for polyolefin melt compounding with ethylene homo‐ and copolymers. The addition of the boehmite nanofillers improved the stiffness without sacrificing high elongation at break. The stiffness, as expressed by Young's modulus, increased with increasing boehmite aspect ratio. In case of thermoplastic elastomer nanocomposites the increase of stiffness was accompanied by a simultaneous increase of elongation at break. According to transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fine dispersion of the polar boehmite nanorods and nanoplatelets within the nonpolar hydrocarbon polymer matrix was obtained without requiring the addition of special dispersing agents or functionalized polyolefin compatibilizers. The comparison of melt compounding of polyethylene with boehmites or polyethylene/boehmite masterbatches revealed that compounding of masterbatches prepared by in situ polymerization filling afforded much finer and more uniform nanoboehmite dispersions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2755–2765, 2008