A Computational Study of the Polymerization‐Induced Phase Separation Phenomenon in Polymer Solutions under a Temperature Gradient

• DOI: 10.1002/mats.200350003
• Publication Date: 2003-07-22T18:11:37Z
• Authors: Kam‐Wa D. Lee; Philip K. Chan; Xianshe Feng
• Keywords: Spinodal decomposition; Spinodal; Temperature Gradient

Abstract This paper studied the polymerization‐induced phase separation phenomenon (spinodal decomposition) in a model binary polymer solution under linear spatial temperature gradient for purpose of fabricating anisotropic polymeric materials by using mathematical modeling and computer simulation. Reaction kinetics were incorporated with non‐linear Cahn‐Hilliard theory Flory‐Huggins free energy expression model. Moreover, slow mode Rouse law used to account diffusion. It was found that an morphology obtained when imposed along sample. The direction structural anisotropy, however, depended significantly on overall time. presence sample generated variation polymerization rate, which resulted quench depth. Consequently, at given instant, different locations stages spinodal decomposition. droplet size formed therefore dependent depth stage Furthermore, produced process induction time, contains time also played significant role image