Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering Studies of Block Copolymer Nano-Objects: Formation of Ordered Phases in Concentrated Solution During Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly.

ABSTRACT: We report that polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) can be used to prepare lyotropic phases comprising diblock copolymer nano-objects in non-polar media. RAFT dispersion polymerization of benzyl methacrylate (BzMA) at 90 °C using a trithiocarbonate-capped hydrogenated polybutadiene (PhBD) steric stabilizer block in n-dodecane produces either spheres or worms that exhibit long-range order at 40 % w/w solids. NMR studies enable calculation of instantaneous copolymer compositions for each phase during the BzMA polymerization. As the PBzMA chains grow longer when targeting PhBD₈₀ -PBzMA₄₀ , time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering reveals intermediate body-centered cubic (BCC) and hexagonally close-packed (HCP) sphere phases prior to formation of a final hexagona

SUBMITTER: Rymaruk MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8252599 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature