How does dense phase CO2 influence the phase behaviour of block copolymers synthesised by dispersion polymerisation?

J Jennings,J J Titman,S P Bassett,H Jinnai,L Knight,W Bras,T Higuchi,S M Howdle,G Portale,D Hermida-Merino

doi:10.1039/c5py01823d

Abstract

Using a CO2 continuous phase for dispersion synthesis of block copolymers can provide a useful handle to control phase behaviour.

Highlights

Block copolymer self-assembly is an important phenomenon that has facilitated the development of new areas of research and applications in material science.[1]
Higher dispersities were recorded for some poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-b-PS and PMMA-b-poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (P4VP) copolymers, where termination during the second block polymerisation occurred by combination and lead to a high molecular weight shoulder in the GPC trace (SI Figure 1)
Block copolymer particles with a range of block volume fractions and molecular weights were synthesised via dispersion polymerisation in scCO2 to understand the effect of scCO2 on the final particle internal morphology

Summary

Introduction

Block copolymer self-assembly is an important phenomenon that has facilitated the development of new areas of research and applications in material science.[1]. Block copolymer particles with a range of block volume fractions and molecular weights were synthesised via dispersion polymerisation in scCO2 to understand the effect of scCO2 on the final particle internal morphology.

Results

Conclusion