| Abstract: | The synthesis together with mechanical property and rheological characterization of novel star–block copolymers comprising multiple polystyrene (PSt)-b-polyisobutylene (PIB) arms emanating from polydivinylbenzene (PDVB) cores are described. The synthesis strategy involved the preparation of PSt-b-PIB-Clt (i.e., diblocks fitted with a tert-chlorine terminus at the PIB end) by sequential living block polymerization of St and IB, ionizing the -Clt terminus by TiCl4 at room temperature, and linking the PSt-b-PIB⊕ prearms by DVB. Molecular characterization was effected mainly by triple detector GPC including refractive index (RI)-, UV-, and laser light scattering (LLS)-GPC traces. Evidence for intra- and intermolecular reactions between individual star–blocks is presented and a comprehensive mechanism to the final product is proposed. The stress–strain behavior of star–blocks has been studied and is compared with those of linear triblocks (i.e., two-arm stars) of similar arm molecular weights and composition in the 25–70°C range. The mechanical properties of star–blocks are invariably superior to those of the triblocks over the entire temperature range. The rheological behavior of star–blocks and linear triblocks has been compared in terms of dynamic viscosity at various frequencies. Star–blocks exhibit significantly lower melt viscosities than their linear counterparts, which signals improved processing behavior. We have also compared select rheological properties of the commercially available PSt-b-(hydrogenated-1,4-polybutadiene)-b-PSt thermoplastic elastomer (Kraton G 1650) with those of PIB-based linear triblocks and multiarm star–blocks of similar glassy/rubbery compositions. The melt viscosities of PIB-based triblocks and star–blocks were significantly lower than that of Kraton G over the entire frequency range investigated. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2235–2243, 1999 |
