ISSN:
1435-1536
Keywords:
Block copolymer
;
ordering processes
;
lamellar phase
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
Notes:
Abstract Block copolymer (BCP) systems possess a rich variety of microdomain structures; lamellar, cylindrical, spherical and other bicontinuous structures, which have been extensively studied experimentally and theoretically. On the other hand, there are a few works on the dynamics of ordering processes near the order-disorder transition (ODT) in BCP. Therefore, we investigate the dynamical properties of diblock copolymers by using a computer simulation method. The time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau-type equation with a long-range repulsive interaction is applied for the order-parameter defined as a difference in the local concentration between the two kinds of monomers. This model has three important parameters; strength of repulsive interaction, strength of noise, and block ratio. In the present study, we especially focus on the effects of the noise strength on the lamellar phase near the ODT point in two dimensions and on the formation of the lamellar phase after the system is quenched from the disordered state to the state just below the ODT point. As for the equilibrium phase behavior, we found that the lamellar phase near the ODT point destroyed by noise and fluctuation-induced disordered state is formed, which is different from the disordered phase in the mean-field theory. We also clarified the process of the formation of the lamellar phase after the system is quenched from the disordered state to the state just below the ODT point. The shape of the lamellar grains is consistent with that obtained by the experiments for polystyrene-block-polyisoprene copolymers [Hashimoto et al. (1996) Phys. Rev. E 54:5832].
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01189506
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