Electron microscopic studies of SBS block copolymers I. A method to study the temperature dependence of phase separation

Abstract

Abstract:The potential applicability of a "Film Formation Method of Crystal Growth" to the study of morphological aspects of amorphous polymers was investigated using transmission electron microscopic techniques. A wide variety of morphologies of styrenebutadiene-styrene triblock copolymer can be achieved by varying the solvent power and film preparation temperatures. The effect of film preparation temperature indicates that below 100 ~ (the glass transition temperature of polystyrene), there is very little change in the size of domains; above 100 ~ a drastic change in morphology is observed. Not only is there rapid coarsening of both the constituent phases of the polymer above 100 ~ but also an intermixing of both phase components of the block copolymer. It was demonstrated that some monomeric materials are effective in maintaining the original morphology of the film; i. e. phase mixing is prevented.

Influence of molecular weight and composition on the morphology and mechanical properties of SBS-polystyrene-mineral oil blends

“…Electron micrographs of morphology changes with increasing polystyrene content for toluene-cast 17 500 MW polystyrene-D2104 blends. (A)24 wt %, (B)28 wt %. been observed be Niinomi et al,4 Kotaka et al,7 and Inoue et al…”