Manipulation of Crystallization Sequence in PEO-b-PCL Films Using Solvent Interactions

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Author(s)
Brigham, Natasha
Nardi, Christopher
Carandang, Allison
Allen, Kristi M
Van Horn, Ryan M.
Date Issued
November 28, 2017
Abstract
The physical structure of polymer films is important for understanding the observed macroscopic properties. In crystalline crystalline block copolymers, the hierarchical nature of assembly is even more influential. Controlling this assembly process is crucial for tailoring film properties. In materials where crystallization of each block occurs nearly simultaneously, the ability to manipulate crystallization order is desirable. Poly (ethylene oxide)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PEO-b-PCL) films were monitored via ATR-FTIR to determine the crystallization order during drying from varying solvents. PCL crystallized first from most solvents except toluene and ethyl acetate, where PEO nucleation occurred first. Moreover, after melting the sample to remove solvent polymer interaction effects, PCL was first to crystallize from the melt, as has been previously reported. Differences in the films' morphologies based on crystallization order were observed using polarized optical microscopy. These results demonstrate that the order of crystallization and the assembly within the film were controllable when casting symmetric diblock PEO-b-PCL films from different solvents.
Journal
Macromolecules
Department
Chemistry
Citation
Brigham, N., Nardi, C., Carandang, A., Allen, K., and Van Horn, R.M. (2017). Manipulation of Crystallization Sequence in PEO-b-PCL Films Using Solvent Interactions. Macromolecules 50(22), 8996-9007. DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.7b02004
Publisher
American Chemical Society
Version of Article
Published article
Embargo
A pre-print version can be made available to the public after 11/28/2018.
DOI
10.1021/acs.macromol.7b02004
ISSN
0024-9297
1520-5835
Rights
This article was selected for publishing in Macromolecules from the American Chemical Society. Copyright is retained by publisher. Contact the author or publisher for further use of this material.
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