Block incompatibility

Recently, a versatile class of poly(ethylene propylene)/poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymer micelles were introduced they were stable due to a combination of high block incompatibility, kinetically frozen core, and high interfacial tension between core and solvent [53, 58]. Moreover, by using a co-solvent of varying composition, the aggregation number was controlled and soft spheres from star-like to micelle-like could be obtained. Another way is core stabilization via chemical crosslinking, say by UV radiation [59-64]. 

A comparison has been made of the simulation of AB block copolymers as self-avoiding walks on lattices and as random walks with a mean field expression of block incompatibility. In contrast to the case with di-blocks, the A part of BAB tri-blocks is appreciably more expanded than the homopolymer, thus reducing the possibility that in poor solvent the B parts might coalesce to form a ring. ... 

Bijsterbosch, H. D., Cohen Stuart, M. A., and Rleer, G. J. 1998. Nonselective adsorption of block copolymers and the effect of block incompatibility. Macromolecules 31 7436-7444. 

Velankar, S., Cooper, S. L. (2000a), Microphase separation and rheological properties of polyurethane melts. Part II Effect of block incompatibility on the microstmcture. Macromolecules, 33, 382-94. 

In semicrystalline block copolymers, the crystallization behavior is often more complex than that observed in statistical copolymers because the solid-state morphology adopted by block copolymers can be driven either by block incompatibility or by crystallization of one or more blocks [5-8]. In this chapter, we will cover only block copolymers with homogeneous or weakly segregated melts, such that crystallization is always the dominant factor in determining solid-state morphology. Crystallization of block copolymers from strongly segregated melts is covered in Chapter 12. Furthermore, the... 

Heterogeneous alloys can be formed when graft or block copolymers are combined with a compatible polymer. Alloys of incompatible polymers can be formed if an interfacial agent can be found. 

Similarly, the random introduction by copolymerization of stericaHy incompatible repeating unit B into chains of crystalline A reduces the crystalline melting point and degree of crystallinity. If is reduced to T, crystals cannot form. Isotactic polypropylene and linear polyethylene homopolymers are each highly crystalline plastics. However, a random 65% ethylene—35% propylene copolymer of the two, poly(ethylene- (9-prop5lene) is a completely amorphous ethylene—propylene mbber (EPR). On the other hand, block copolymers of the two, poly(ethylene- -prop5iene) of the same overall composition, are highly crystalline. X-ray studies of these materials reveal both the polyethylene lattice and the isotactic polypropylene lattice, as the different blocks crystallize in thek own lattices. 

Fig. 16. A/B incompatible interface of width X, with E di-block compatibilizers of length L.

Polypropylene block and graft copolymers are efficient blend compatibilizers. These materials allow the formation of alloys, for example, isotactic polypropylene with styrene-acrylonitrile polymer or polyamides, by enhancing the dispersion of incompatible polymers and improving their interfacial adhesion. Polyolefinic materials of such types afford property synergisms such as improved stiffness combined with greater toughness. 

It is well known that block copolymers and graft copolymers composed of incompatible sequences form the self-assemblies (the microphase separations). These morphologies of the microphase separation are governed by Molau s law [1] in the solid state. Nowadays, not only the three basic morphologies but also novel morphologies, such as ordered bicontinuous double diamond structure, are reported [2-6]. The applications of the microphase separation are also investigated [7-12]. As one of the applications of the microphase separation of AB diblock copolymers, it is possible to synthesize coreshell type polymer microspheres upon crosslinking the spherical microdomains [13-16]. 

Different polymers that are incompatible with each other do not form a stable homogeneous phase. In the block... 

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