Domain structure of amorphous block copolymers cast from solution

✍ Scribed by Soen, Toshiichi ;Inoue, Takashi ;Miyoshi, Katsunori ;Kawai, Hiromichi

• Book ID: 104536600
• Publisher: Wiley (John Wiley & Sons)
• Year: 1972
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 807 KB
• Volume: 10
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0449-2978
• DOI: 10.1002/pol.1972.160100912

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Three types of domain structures, namely spherical, rodlike, and lamellar, of A‐B and A‐B‐A (or B‐A‐B) block copolymers cast from solutions are discussed on the basis of a criterion that the structures originate at a critical micelle concentration as a result of microphase separation of the block segments and the micelles formed maintain their structures into the solid state without reorganization. It is concluded that the micelles shrink mostly in the direction perpendicular to the interface between the two phases within the micelles because of the appreciable orientation of the block segments in this direction. In other words, the spherical micelle shrinks isotropically to form a spherical domain having a diameter proportional to the 2/3 power of the degree of polymerization (molecular weight) of the corresponding block segment. Rodlike and lamellar micelles, on the other hand, shrink anisotropically to form rodlike and lamellar domains such that the diameter and the thickness of the respective domains are roughly proportional to the 1/2 power of the degree of polymerization of the corresponding block segment.