Block copolymers are well-known for their ability to form nanostructures through microphase separation. These nanostructures provide useful and novel mechanical properties to materials ranging from batteries to biomedical devices. Our group is studying the formation of the core-shell sphere morphology by ABC triblock polymers to create a fracture and fatigue resistant hydrogel. While AB diblock polymer morphology has been extensively studied, ABC triblock polymer study has yet to build a comprehensive phase diagram especially in the regions of large volume fractions of the A or C end block. Consequently, there has been little experimental data of the theoretically predicted core-shell sphere region of the phase diagram. This presentation will highlight our study of this phase region with polystyrene-polyisoprene-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-PI-PEO) polymers containing asymmetrically large volume fractions of PEO and varying volume fractions of PS and PI.

Highly asymmetric ABC triblock block copolymers targeting the core-shell sphere phase region

2019 Fall National Meeting

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