Structure and Dynamics of a Pentablock Copolymer of Polystyrene-polybutadiene in a Butadiene-Selective Solvent
We have examined solutions of a polystyrene-polybutadiene pentablock copolymer in n-heptane, a strongly selective solvent for polybutadiene. Small angle neutron scattering from 7 to 15% samples reveals domains about 10 nm in radius formed by the association of {approx}200 polystyrene blocks. Dynamic light scattering measurements on 8 and 9% samples showed three modes: a fast diffusive mode related to the collective diffusion in semidilute solutions/gels; a relaxational mode related to the local dynamics of polystyrene domains trapped in the gel formed by bridging the domains with the polybutadiene chains; and a very slow diffusive mode. The relaxational dynamics persisted over the entire temperature range, becoming faster with increasing temperature, indicating a decreased microviscosity at higher temperatures. The slow dynamics seems to be connected with heterogeneities in the physical gel due to microsyneresis and almost disappeared above 50 C. Macroscopic phase separation into two liquid phases was observed in a dilute solution of the un-associated copolymer, and into a liquid and gel phase at higher concentrations. The absence of flower-like micelles in dilute solutions and the macroscopic phase separation suggest that the gels in the pentablock are formed by random association of multiplet domains and not by bridging of micellar domains.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States). National Synchrotron Light Source
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Doe - Office Of Science
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-98CH10886
- OSTI ID:
- 913643
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-78211-2007-JA; POLMAG; TRN: US0801359
- Journal Information:
- Polymer, Vol. 45; ISSN 0032-3861
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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