Microphase separation in linear multiblock copolymers under poor solvent conditions

Abstract

Molecular dynamics simulations are used to study the phase behavior of linear multiblock copolymers with two types of monomers, A and B, where the length of the polymer blocks N_A and N_B (N_A = N_B = N), the number of the blocks n_A and n_B (n_A = n_B = n), and the solvent quality varies. The fraction f of A-type monomers is kept constant and equal to 0.5. Whereas at high enough temperatures these macromolecules form coil structures, where each block A or B forms rather individual clusters, at low enough temperatures A and B monomers from different blocks can join together forming clusters of A or B monomers. The dependence of the formation of these clusters on the varied parameters is discussed in detail, providing a full understanding of the phase behavior of linear multiblock copolymers, at least for this symmetrical case.