Origin of the thermoreversible fcc-bcc transition in block copolymer solutions.
The thermoreversible fcc-bcc transition in concentrated block copolymer micellar solutions is shown to be driven by decreases in the aggregation number as the solvent penetrates the core, leading to a softer intermicelle potential. Small-angle neutron scattering measurements in a dilute solution are used to quantify the temperature-dependent micellar characteristics. The observed phase boundary is in excellent agreement with recent simulations of highly branched star polymers.
Lodge
Timothy P
TP
Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
Bang
Joona
J
Park
Moon Jeong
MJ
Char
Kookheon
K