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Title: Temperature-dependent self-assembly and rheological behavior of a thermoreversible pmma-P n BA-PMMA triblock copolymer gel

Journal Article · · Journal of Polymer Science. Part B, Polymer Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/polb.24336· OSTI ID:1368270
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [3];  [2];  [1]
  1. Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, Mississippi State University, MS State Mississippi 39762
  2. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Materials Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge Tennessee 37831
  3. School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman Oklahoma 73019

Self-assembly and mechanical properties of triblock copolymers in a mid-block selective solvent are of interest in many applications. Herein, we report physical assembly of an ABA triblock copolymer, [PMMA–PnBA–PMMA] in two different mid-block selective solvents, n-butanol and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol. Gel formation resulting from end-block associations and the corresponding changes in mechanical properties have been investigated over a temperature range of -80 °C to 60 °C, from near the solvent melting points to above the gelation temperature. Shear-rheometry, thermal analysis, and small-angle neutron scattering data reveal formation and transition of structure in these systems from a liquid state to a gel state to a percolated cluster network with decrease in temperature. The aggregated PMMA end-blocks display a glass transition temperature. Our results provide new understanding into the structural changes of a self-assembled triblock copolymer gel over a large length scale and wide temperature range.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS)
Sponsoring Organization:
National Science Foundation (NSF)
OSTI ID:
1368270
Journal Information:
Journal of Polymer Science. Part B, Polymer Physics, Vol. 55, Issue 11; ISSN 0887-6266
Publisher:
Wiley
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
ENGLISH

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