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Deconvolution of high resolution GPC chromatograms and fractionation of poly(styrene-isobutylene-styrene) block copolymers made by living cationic polymerization

Conference ·
OSTI ID:370862
;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS (United States)

A poly(styrene-isobutylene-styrene) block copolymer made by living cationic polymerization using a difunctional initiator and the sequential monomer addition technique was analyzed using curve-resolution software in conjunction with high-resolution GPC. Additionally, fractional precipitation was applied to the sample in order to both determine the identity of contaminating species and to produce a narrow MWD sample for morphological characterization using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Contaminating species were found to be low molecular weight homopolymers as well as higher molecular weight segmented block copolymers formed by interchain electrophilic aromatic substitution linking reactions occurring late in the polymerization of the styrene outer blocks. TEM revealed hexagonally packed PS cylinders ({approximately}11 nm dia.) dispersed in a PIB matrix.

OSTI ID:
370862
Report Number(s):
CONF-960376--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English