Selectively solvated triblock copolymer networks under biaxial strain

Abstract

Triblock copolymers swollen with a midblock-selective solvent provide a test platform by which to interrogate the properties of highly elastic physical gel networks. Here, such networks are biaxially strained and studied by synchrotron small-angle x-ray scattering. Analysis of the form factor reveals that initially spherical micellar cores deform to ellipsoids when strained. The Percus-Yevick hard-sphere model describes the structure factor of micelles exhibiting liquid-like order prior to deformation but requires an attractive potential to match the structure factor under strain. The magnitude of this potential increases with increasing strain, indicating a change in coronal overlap as the network is stretched.