Abstract
Free radical polymerization of divinyl benzene (DVB) and styrene (St) was performed within reverse hexagonal phases of the anionic surfactant bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate sodium salt (AOT). The morphologies before and after polymerization were studied by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), polarized light microscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Polarized light microscopy and SAXS show no significant changes in textures and order during polymerization. A detailed investigation of the polymer matrix after polymerization and removal of the template reveals the formation of regular micrometer-sized layerlike morphologies. The polymer layers have a hierarchical structure, as they consist of aligned strings of polymer beads with diameters of about 100 nm. Structure formation is directed by the lyotropic phase during polymerization-induced phase separation on a nanometer scale. A mechanism of morphosynthesis is discussed on the basis of characteristic distortions within liquid crystals that are induced by the polymer phase. Parameters such as cross-linking degree and initiator or monomer concentration have a strong influence on the morphologies formed due to a kinetically controlled nucleation and growth mechanism. Finally, the structures formed by polymerization within reverse hexagonal phases are compared to those obtained from lamellar phases of the same surfactant.
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