Origin of the Thermoreversible fcc-bcc Transition in Block Copolymer Solutions
Abstract
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.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review Letters
- Pub Date:
- April 2004
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 2004PhRvL..92n5501L
- Keywords:
-
- 61.25.Hq;
- 64.70.Nd;
- 81.30.Hd;
- 83.80.Qr;
- Macromolecular and polymer solutions;
- polymer melts;
- swelling;
- Structural transitions in nanoscale materials;
- Constant-composition solid-solid phase transformations: polymorphic massive and order-disorder;
- Surfactant and micellar systems associated polymers