Liquid state theory of the local and long wavelength structure and thermodynamic properties of block copolymer liquids

"This work presents a theoretical study of the structure, thermodynamics, and phase behavior of block copolymer melts. First, the formal extension of the liquid state ""polymer reference interaction site model"" (PRISM) theory to AB copolymers is presented. Within a simple ""symmetric"" model, analytical and numerical predictions are made for the fluctuation stabilization, peak scattering wavevector, and effective chi-parameter. The conditions for contact with Leibler's mean field theory are also established. Beyond this, a novel mechanism for the disordered phase stabilization is suggested wherein a depletion of energetically unfavorable contacts, and clustering of like species, reduces the driving force toward further segregation. This is manifest in a fluctuation renormalized effective chi-parameter, and a destruction of all k $\not=$ 0 spinodal instabilities for finite chains. The chain length scaling of these fluctuation corrections is identical to the Brazovskii-Leibler-Fredrickson-Helfand phenomenological field theory. Additionally, finite thickness chain models exhibit stronger stabilization effects brought on by local interchain packing correlations."

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemistry

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• David, Edwin Frank

Contributors dc:contributor

• Schweizer, Kenneth S.

• Chemistry, Physical
• Plastics Technology

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1995 David, Edwin Frank

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9624333
(UMI)AAI9624333

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/20268