Nanostructure Scaling in Semi-Dilute Triblock Copolymer&nbsp;Gels

Mineart, Kenneth P.; Vallely, Matthew J.; O'Shea, Emma K.

doi:10.1002/macp.202300093

Nanostructure Scaling in Semi-Dilute Triblock Copolymer Gels

Journal Article · Sun Apr 30 00:00:00 EDT 2023 · Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.202300093· OSTI ID:2423536

^[1]; Vallely, Matthew J. ^[1]; O'Shea, Emma K. ^[1]

Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA (United States)

Here, there is a considerable body of work that describes the scaling of diblock copolymer micelle dimensions in dilute and semi-dilute solution based upon block degrees of polymerization and copolymer concentration. However, there is a lack of analogous information for semi-dilute ABA triblock copolymer gels, which consist of ABA triblock copolymer dissolved in midblock-selective (B-selective) solvent. The present study uses small angle X-ray scattering to extract micelle dimensions for numerous triblock copolymer gels that vary in copolymer identity (and hence block lengths) and copolymer concentration, as well as gels that contain various ratios of two unique triblock copolymers. Analysis of micelle structural data subsequently translates to universal scaling expressions for the micelle core radius – r_A ≈ N_A^0.53N_B^-0.14$$\phi$$_ABA^0.16 where N_A and N_B are the endblock and midblock degrees of polymerization, respectively, and $$\phi$$_ABA is the volume fraction of triblock copolymer in the gel – and for the intermicelle spacing – l_AA ≈ N_A^0.09N_B^0.29$$\phi$$_ABA^-0.35. Each scaling expression describes the full collection of experimental data very well. Additionally, these scaling expressions are partially in line with expectations from semi-dilute diblock copolymer solution theory.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF); National Science Foundation (NSF)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-06CH11357

OSTI ID:: 2423536

Journal Information:: Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics, Journal Name: Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics Journal Issue: 16 Vol. 224; ISSN 1022-1352

Publisher:: WileyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
SAXS
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scaling theory

Nanostructure Scaling in Semi-Dilute Triblock Copolymer Gels

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