Morphological Studies of Solution-Crystallized Thermoplastic Elastomers with Polyethylene Endblocks and a Random-Copolymer Midblock

Yan, Jiaqi; Lee, Byeongdu; Smith, Steven D.; Spontak, Richard J.

doi:10.1002/marc.202100442

Title: Morphological Studies of Solution-Crystallized Thermoplastic Elastomers with Polyethylene Endblocks and a Random-Copolymer Midblock

Journal Article · 06 September 2021 · Macromolecular Rapid Communications

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202100442 · OSTI ID:1845898

Yan, Jiaqi ^[1]; Lee, Byeongdu ^[2]; Smith, Steven D. ^[3];

^[4]

North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh, NC (United States); Kraton Corporation, Houston, TX (United States)
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Procter & Gamble Co., Cincinnati, OH (United States)
North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh, NC (United States)

Styrenic thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) in the form of triblock copolymers possessing glassy endblocks and a rubbery midblock account for the largest global market of TPEs worldwide, and typically rely on microphase separation of the endblocks and the subsequent formation of rigid microdomains to ensure satisfactory network stabilization. In this work, the morphological characteristics of a relatively new family of crystallizable TPEs that instead consist of polyethylene endblocks and a random-copolymer midblock composed of styrene and (ethylene-co-butylene) moieties are investigated. Copolymer solutions prepared at logarithmic concentrations in a slightly endblock-selective solvent are subjected to crystallization under different time and temperature conditions to ascertain if copolymer self-assembly is directed by endblock crystallization or vice versa. According to transmission electron microscopy, semicrystalline aggregates develop at the lowest solution concentration examined (0.01 wt%), and the size and population of crystals, which dominate the copolymer morphologies, are observed to increase with increasing aging time. Real-space results are correlated with small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering to elucidate the concurrent roles of endblock crystallization and self-assembly of these unique TPEs in solution.

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Research Organization:: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-06CH11357

OSTI ID:: 1845898

Journal Information:: Macromolecular Rapid Communications, Journal Name: Macromolecular Rapid Communications Journal Issue: 21 Vol. 42; ISSN 1022-1336

Publisher:: WileyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
block copolymers
directed self-assembly
polymer morphology
solution crystallization
thermoplastic elastomers

Title: Morphological Studies of Solution-Crystallized Thermoplastic Elastomers with Polyethylene Endblocks and a Random-Copolymer Midblock

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