Polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) was achieved by conducting an initiators for continuous activator regeneration atom transfer radical polymerization (ICAR ATRP) at low ppm of copper catalyst concentration. A poly(oligo(ethylene oxide) methyl ether methacrylate)50 (POEOMA50) macroinitiator and stabilizer synthesized aqueous ICAR ATRP using CuIICl2/tris(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amine (TPMA) complex. Subsequently, the dispersion benzyl methacrylate (BnMA) in ethanol realized with a...

A series of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and polyethylene (PE) diblock, tetrablock, hexablock copolymers (BCPs) were synthesized with tunable molecular weights using a hafnium pyridylamine catalyst. The BCPs melt blended 70 wt % high-density PE (HDPE) 30 iPP commercial homopolymers at concentrations between 0.2 5 %. resulting blend morphologies investigated TEM, revealing uniformly dispersed droplets ranging progressively in size increasing BCP content from three-quarters to one-quarter the...

A renewed focus on the phase behavior of nominally single-component, compositionally asymmetric diblock copolymers has revealed a host previously unanticipated Frank-Kasper (FK) and quasicrystalline phases. However, these periodic aperiodic particle packings have thus far only been reported in low molecular weight, highly conformationally copolymers, leaving researchers with relatively small library polymers which phases can be studied. In this work, we report simple approach to access...

The phase behavior of poly(styrene)-b-poly(1,4-butadiene) diblock copolymers with a polymer block invariant degree polymerization N[over ¯]_{b}≈800 shows no evidence Frank-Kasper phases, in contrast to low molar mass (N[over ¯]_{b}<100) the same conformational asymmetry. A universal self-concentration crossover parameter ¯]_{x}≈400 is identified, directly related entanglement dynamics melts. Mean-field recovered when ¯]_{b}>N[over ¯]_{x}, while complex symmetry formation attributed...

Graft block copolymers (BCPs) with poly(4-methyl caprolactone)-block-poly(±-lactide) (P4MCL-PLA) side chains containing 80–100% PLA content were synthesized the aim of producing tough and sustainable plastics. These graft BCPs experience physical aging become brittle over time. For short times, ta, samples are ductile shear yielding is primary deformation mechanism. A double-yield phenomenon emerges at intermediate ta where materials deform by stress whitening followed yielding. At long fail...

Significance Functional polymer nanocomposite thin films demand precise control over the spatial organization of nanoparticles on microscales and nanoscales. We demonstrate that conformational chain entropy can be used as a driving force to direct nanoparticle redistribution in blend systems where enthalpic interactions are negligible. Tunable segregation polymer-grafted is achieved within topographically patterned polymeric by varying relative confinement chains grafted versus matrix...

The nonlinear rheology of multilayer stacks alternating isotactic polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) films with N layers was measured in shear uniaxial extension. We show that the force to extend − 1 interfaces can lead strain hardening. studied three PE/PP pairs: a Ziegler–Natta catalyzed pair two metallocene pairs, one high density PE linear low PE. Interfacial tension on matrix/droplet blends each using small amplitude oscillatory measurements fitted Palierne model. Multilayer...

Polymer ligands enable the high-throughput fabrication of microstructured particle–based films for nanotechnology applications.

Poly[(styrene-alt-N-hydroxyethylmaleimide)-ran-(styrene-alt-N-ethylmaleimide)]-graft-[poly(4-methylcaprolactone)-block-poly((±)-lactide)] (g-ML) graft-block polymers containing 50 vol % poly((±)-lactide) (PLA or L) were mixed with a commercial PLA homopolymer to modify the brittle mechanical behavior of this industrially compostable plastic. Various graft architectures, including linear, tri-arm, and tetra-arm polymer backbones, prepared using grafting-from method. Small-angle X-ray...

The controlled organization of nanoparticle (NP) constituents into superstructures well-defined shape, composition, and connectivity represents a continuing challenge in the development novel hybrid materials for many technological applications. We show that phase separation polymer-tethered nanoparticles immersed matrix chemically different polymer provides an effective scalable method fabricating submicron-sized amorphous NP domains melt thin films. investigate this phenomenon with view...

Nanostructured tricontinuous block polymers allow for the preparation of single-component materials that combine multiple properties. We demonstrate synthesis a mesoporous material from selective orthogonal etching microphase-separated polymer precursor. Using synthetic approach polymerization-induced microphase separation (PIMS), divinylbenzene (DVB) is polymerized mixture poly(isoprene) (PI) and poly(lactide) (PLA) macro-chain transfer agents. In PIMS process in situ cross-linking by DVB...

Fire safety in polymers is critically important with products such as textiles and consumer goods, well materials used construction, aerospace, transportation, furniture. Additives anti-dripping flame-retardant agents impose acute human health issues have negative environmental impacts. With a focus on developing additive-free solutions, we multilayer coextrusion to fabricate layered polyethylene/polypropylene (PE/PP) films investigated the effect of morphology dripping burning rates. The...

The synthesis, characterization, and self-assembly of a series linear poly(ethylene-b-styrene-b-isoprene) (PEO−PS−PI) triblock copolymers containing nearly equal volume fractions PEO PI (fPEO ≈ fPI) various the middle PS block (70.8 vol % ≤ fPS 75.6 %) is reported. A range azide-functionalized poly(ethylene oxide-b-styrene) diblock were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) styrene using same batch PEO-macroinitiator, followed azide-functionalization....

Micromechanical deformation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/ethylene-stat-methyl acrylate copolymer [p(E-s-MA)] blends was investigated for various MA contents and molar masses p(E-s-MA). The copolymers were synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization subsequent hydrogenation. Varying the content mass alters interfacial adhesion between PET mechanical properties significantly. Transmission electron microscopy images obtained after tensile reveal that composition determine...

Application of shear stress has been shown to unidirectionally orient the microstructures block copolymers and polymer blends. In present work, we study phase separation a novel nanoparticle (NP)-polymer blend thin film system under using soft-shear dynamic zone annealing (DZA-SS) method. The nanoparticles are densely grafted with chains chemically dissimilar composition from matrix polymer, which induces upon thermal into concentrated domains. We systematically examine influence DZA-SS...

This work demonstrates a greater than expected enhancement of oxygen barrier properties in linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)-based materials by blending LLDPE with high-density (HDPE). The films made melt pressing the LLDPE/HDPE blends had reduction permeability coefficients (PO2) predicted using common models, i.e., harmonic average model and zero-permeability nanofiller model. PO2 was attributed to presence spherulite crystal structures, as revealed atomic force microscopy combined...

Due to its low cost, stiffness, and recyclability, isotactic polypropylene (iPP) is an excellent candidate for packaging applications. However, iPP notoriously difficult thermoform due melt strength. The addition of just 10 thin layers high-molecular-weight, linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) into sheets by coextrusion significantly increased extensional viscosity reduced sag. Both LLDPE were metallocene-catalyzed with adhesion as measured in our previous work. We performed a series hot...

The segregation kinetics of deuterated polystyrene (d-PS) within the grain boundary regions a lamellar poly(styrene-b-isoprene) copolymer is analyzed using combination electron imaging and mapping as well ultrasmall small-angle neutron scattering. Solute limited to high-angle boundaries (that is, between grains having misorientations that exceed threshold value). accumulation d-PS found be uniform across boundaries, reaching an equilibrium local concentration solute about 52 vol %. This...