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Confinement of elastomeric block copolymers via forced assembly coextrusion
Tiffani M Burt1, Jong Keum, Anne Hiltner
1Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-7202, USA.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|November 30, 2011
Summary
This study demonstrates how confining block copolymers (BCPs) in multilayer films enhances mechanical properties. Decreasing layer thickness improves ductility and toughness, offering tunable material responses.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Block copolymers (BCPs) exhibit unique properties influenced by their nanostructure.
- Confinement effects in BCPs are challenging to study using conventional melt processing.
- Microlayering offers a method to control BCP morphology and properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of confinement on the mechanical properties of BCPs.
- To produce multilayer BCP films with tunable layer thicknesses.
- To explore the relationship between morphology, layer thickness, and mechanical behavior.
Main Methods:
- Utilized microlayering coextrusion to create multilayer films of elastomeric BCPs and polystyrene (PS).
- Varied layer thicknesses from 100 to 600 nm.
- Conducted deformation studies and postextrusion annealing to analyze mechanical properties.
Main Results:
- Decreased layer thickness (to 190 nm) enhanced ductility by shifting deformation from crazing to shear yielding.
- Postextrusion annealing increased toughness and promoted homogeneous deformation in thinner layers.
- Multilayer coextrusion enabled tunable mechanical responses.
Conclusions:
- Forced assembly processing via microlayering is effective for manipulating BCP properties.
- Layer thickness is a critical parameter for controlling mechanical behavior in confined BCPs.
- This method offers a pathway to engineer advanced materials with tailored performance.
