title: Cell dynamics simulations of shear-induced alignment and defect annihilation in stripe patterns formed by block copolymers.
abstract: The effect of large amplitude oscillatory shear on two-dimensional stripe patterns formed by block copolymers was investigated using cell dynamics simulations. A global orientational order parameter S and a correlation function for stripe normals G(r-r(')) were used to characterize the degree of stripe orientation under shear. The kinetics of stripe alignment, quantified by S, at various shear and quench conditions were studied as a function of strain amplitude, shear frequency, and temperature. The mechanisms of shear alignment and defect annihilation were investigated. A critical shear condition for complete alignment of stripes along the shear direction was also identified.
authors: School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.
authors: S R
authors: SR
authors: Ren
authors: I W
authors: IW
authors: Hamley
authors: P I
authors: PI
authors: Teixeira
authors: P D
authors: PD
authors: Olmsted
mesh_terms: D004058:Diffusion; D007700:Kinetics; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009991:Oscillometry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers