Structural characterisation of some polystyrene—polyisoprene copolymers

Abstract

The various levels of organisation which may be distinguished in non-crystalline block Copolymers are considered. An account is given of the application of lowangle X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy to the characterisation of the two-phase morphology and grain texture of some styrenelisoprene copolymers. The first group of copolymers to be considered contains two series of samples of the type S-I, (S-I-)2X, (S-I-)aY, and (S-I-)4Z where I is polyisoprene, S polystyrene and X, Y and Z are di-, tri-and tetra-functional coupling groups. The second group of copolymers which was subjected to a less detailed study than the first consists of just two polystyrene-g-polyisoprene samples.

Domain Morphology of Star Block Copolymers of Polystyrene and Polyisoprene

“…7 In benzene at 80°the latter reaction proceeds in 79% yield. 11 The significance of the high conversion in the present polymeric system is even greater considering the generally sluggish nature of polymers in chemical reactions.14 While the higher yield in the polymer system may in part be due to ease of isolation, it is believed that the local environment of the reactive center provided by polymer itself enhances the rate of the desired reaction relative to side reactions as previously suggested. 5 Thus, as in the previous example,5 the reaction of the Reissert anion 2 with a polymeric substrate proceeds in higher yield than with corresponding monomeric substrates.…”