Polymerization Induced Microphase Separation of ABC Triblock Copolymers for 3D Printing Nanostructured Materials

Polymerization-induced microphase separation (PIMS) is a versatile technique for producing nanostructured materials. In previous PIMS studies, the predominant approach involved employing homopolymers as macromolecular chain transfer agents (macroCTAs) to mediate the formation of nanostructured materials. In this article, the use of AB diblock copolymers as macroCTAs to design PIMS systems for 3D printing of nanostructured materials is investigated. Specifically, the influence of diblock copolymer composition and block sequence on the resulting nanostructures, and their subsequent impact on bulk properties is systematically investigated. Through careful manipulation of the A/B block ratios, the morphology and size of the nanodomains are successfully controlled. Remarkably, the sequence of A and B blocks significantly affects the microphase separation process, resulting in distinct morphologies. The effect can be attributed to changes in the interaction parameters (χ_AB, χ_BC, χ_AC) between the different block segments. Furthermore, the block sequence and composition exert profound influence on the thermomechanical, tensile, and swelling properties of 3D printed nanostructured materials. By leveraging this knowledge, it becomes possible to design advanced 3D printable materials with tailored properties, opening new avenues for material engineering.