STRUCTURE-PROPERTY RELATIONSHIPS OF BLOCK COPOLYMERS CONFINED VIA FORCED ASSEMBLY CO-EXTRUSION FOR ENHANCED PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

This dissertation is focused on the characterization of elastomeric block copolymers confined via multilayer co-extrusion technology. In this work, we utilized both self-assembly and forced assembly to achieve hierarchical design within films for mechanical enhancement. When block copolymers are forced to self-assemble in restricted geometries, their physical properties tend to deviate from the bulk behavior. An understanding of their physical properties under confinement has become imperative as technology pushes polymeric applications toward thinner geometries. This work utilizes multilayer co-extrusion as a continuous, confining mechanism to exploit the effect of confining layer and layer thickness on commercially available block copolymers. It was discovered that the morphology and orientation of the block copolymer while under confinement drastically affects the mechanical response of the multilayer films. A thorough understanding of these key factors allows for a methodology to tune the mechanical response of multilayer films via a continuous methodology.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Macromolecular Science and Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Burt, Tiffani M.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Korley, LaShanda

• Polymers
• Microlayer co-extrusion
• confinement
• block copolymers
• interface
• mechanical properties

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1355879195

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:case1355879195