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Updated: Mar 5, 2026

Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives
Published on: February 7, 2017
Self-assembly of gradient copolymers synthesized in semi-batch mode by nitroxide mediated polymerization
Kevin Wylie1, Ian Bennett, Milan Marić
1Dept. of Chemical Engineering, McGill Institute of Advanced Materials (MIAM) McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montreal, QC, Canada H3A 0C5. milan.maric@mcgill.ca.
Gradient copolymers (GCPs) with diffuse interfaces show altered self-assembly. Interface diffusion impacts domain spacing and order, with highly diffuse interfaces hindering self-assembly due to reduced interaction parameters.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Copolymer self-assembly is crucial for creating nanostructured materials.
- Controlling compositional interfaces in copolymers influences self-assembly behavior.
- Gradient copolymers (GCPs) offer a unique platform to study interface effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of diffuse compositional interfaces on the self-assembly of gradient copolymers (GCPs).
- To synthesize poly(methyl methacrylate)-grad-(styrene) (PMMA-grad-PSt) with varied interface diffuseness.
- To analyze the resulting microphase-separated structures and their relationship to interface characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of PMMA-grad-PSt via nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP) in semi-batch mode with varied monomer injection protocols.
- Characterization of molecular weights (Mn) and dispersities (Đ) of synthesized GCPs.
- Thin film preparation, annealing, and analysis of microphase-separated domain morphology.
Main Results:
- GCPs exhibited larger domain spacing compared to monodisperse block copolymers due to polydispersity.
- Decreased Flory-Huggins interaction parameter (χ) due to the gradient partially offset increased domain spacing.
- GCPs with less diffuse interfaces self-assembled into ordered domains, while highly diffuse interfaces led to poor self-assembly.
Conclusions:
- Diffuse interfaces significantly affect copolymer self-assembly, influencing domain spacing and order.
- Highly diffuse interfaces, characterized by a statistical-copolymer-like middle sequence, reduce the effective enthalpic interaction parameter, hindering self-assembly.
- Controlled synthesis of GCPs with defined interface characteristics is key for achieving ordered nanostructures.
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