Aqueous mesophases of block copolymers of ethylene oxide and 1,2-butylene oxide

Abstract

Recent work on water-soluble block copolymers of ethylene oxide and 1,2-butylene oxide is described. Small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering have been used to probe the structures of aqueous micellar mesophases, with particular attention paid to the effects of steady and oscillatory shear. Effects of temperature and concentration are described, and the relationship of cubic structure (bcc or fcc) to diblock copolymer composition is explained in terms of the nature of the intermicellar potential. The rheology of the complex fluids (so-called soft gels) outside the structured-mesophase (hard gel) regions is discussed.