Modeling of the Phase Behavior in Ternary Triblock Copolymer/Water/Oil Systems

Abstract

Ternary poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO)/ water/oil systems have been studied theoretically with a lattice mean-field theory. Phase diagrams for three PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymers are presented, and the existence of the ordered cubic micellar, hexagonal, lamellar, reverse hexagonal, and reverse cubic micellar phases as well as disorded water-rich and water-poor phases was considered. It was found that the length of the EO blocks strongly affected the phase behavior. The lamellar phase was studied in more detail with respect to the domain spacing and interfacial area per PEO block at different compositions and to the polymer conformations. The degree of looplike conformations and of bridging conformations across the apolar domain (PO + oil) was found to be dependent on the apolar domain thickness. Comparison with experimentally determined phase diagrams and lamellar domain spacings was also made.

Block copolymer–nanoparticle composites: Structure, functional properties, and processing

“…For example, PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymers form various ordered structures such as lamellar, bicontinuous cubic, cylindrical, and spherical cubic in water, a solvent selective to the PEO block [297]. Mixing of a second solvent incompatible with the primary solvent can further promote the formation of diverse morphologies [114,257,[298][299][300][301][302][303][304].…”

Synthesis and Self-assembly Behavior of Photo-responsive Diblock Copolymers with Different Hydrophilic/Hydrophobic Ratios

“…相关研究曾表明 [14] , 引起自组装体形貌改变的 因素包括共聚物亲疏水链段长度比、溶剂组成、温度以 及添加剂等. 当其中的一个参数改变时, 比如亲疏水比 例发生变化, 形成聚集体结构的平衡会被打破, 导致聚 集体形貌转变 [15] . 2 )的照射下, 解离 的复合胶束不能够回复.…”

Thermal gelation of Pluronic F-127 in ethylene glycol as non-aqueous solvent

“…40,[44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51] The study of non-aqueous solvents for Pluronics is considered as of 'fundamental and practical interest'. 45 Furthermore, in the present work, water presents difficulties as it inhibits the polymerisation of caprolactam into polyamide 6, so a novel combination of Pluronic F-127 and ethylene glycol was investigated.…”