CHED 710 |
| Anionic polymerization was used to synthesize polystyrene (PS) / polybutadiene (PB) diblock copolymers with a range of compositions. These diblock compositions ranged from 20/80 to 80/20 in terms of styrene and butadiene monomer content. These diblocks were used to evaluate the influence of diblock copolymer composition on the phase behavior of a PS/PB blend. The phase boundaries were analyzed using cloud point measurements as a function of diblock content. The results of this research are consistent with the predictions of a theoretical model by Jacek Dudowicz et al. (Macromolecules 1995, 28, 2276). Their results suggest that if a diblock copolymer with a 50/50 PS/PB composition is added to a binary blend, it will lower the critical temperature. Whereas a diblock copolymer with a distribution which is further away from an equal distribution, such as an 80/20 PS/PB composition, will raise the critical temperature. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Polymer Chemistry
11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |