Polystyrene/methacrylate microphase separated semi-interpenetrating polymer networks with controlled morphology
- Univ. of Twente, Enschede (Netherlands)
Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks with on forehand controllable morphology could be obtained using a three-step process, separating morphology formation and polymerization/crosslinking. This is opposite to conventional synthesis routes, where morphology is formed due to polymerization and crosslinking. Morphology was formed by spinodal liquid/liquid demixing of a solution of atactic polystyrene in a methacrylate monomer, which was arrested by thermoreversible gelation (vitrification) of the polymer-rich phase at a desired stage. After low-temperature UV-polymerization and crosslinking of the methacrylate, the phase separated structure was preserved at room temperature. The morphology was found to be determined by the viscosity of the solution (polymer molecular weight and concentration) and by the efficiency of quenching (quench temperature, sample geometry). Domains of 0.03-0.06 m could be achieved, due to vitrification of the summits of concentration fluctuations of spinodal demixing in its initial stage. Thereby, domains were separated a distance (n times) the wavelength of spinodal demixing.
- OSTI ID:
- 141488
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-930304--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Kinetics of microphase separation in polymer systems: Theory and computer simulation
Nondestructive Photo-Cross-Linking of Microphase-Separated Diblock Polymers through Coumarin Dimerization