Stabilizing co-continuous polymer blend morphologies with ABC block copolymers

Abstract

We suggest that ABC triblock copolymers provide a convenient and effective route to emulsifying blends of A and C homopolymers into co-continuous morphologies over a wide range of compositions. Direct transitions between disordered tricontinuous phases (“ABC microemulsions”) and spatially-periodic tricontinuous phases (e.g. gyroid or double-diamond cubic phases) should be possible in appropriately formulated alloys. We envision a broad range of potential applications to thermoplastic and thermoset polymeric materials.