Schmid F. Self-consistent field approach for cross-linked copolymer materials.
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2013;
111:028303. [PMID:
23889451 DOI:
10.1103/physrevlett.111.028303]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A generalized self-consistent field approach for polymer networks with a fixed topology is developed. It is shown that the theory reproduces the localization of cross-links, which is characteristic for gels. The theory is then used to study the order-disorder transition in regular networks of end-linked diblock copolymers. Compared to diblock copolymer melts, the transition is shifted towards lower values of the incompatibility parameter χ (the Flory-Huggins parameter). Moreover, the transition becomes strongly first order already at the mean-field level. If stress is applied, the transition is further shifted and finally vanishes in a critical point.
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