Symmetric binary polymer blends confined in thin films between competing walls: Interplay between finite size and wetting behavior

Abstract

The phase behavior and structure of a symmetric binary polymer blend confined between two hard impenetrable walls is studied, assuming also short range forces between the monomers and the walls. Phenomenological considerations are elaborated with the self-consistent field theory of Gaussian chains, and also some Monte Carlo simulations of the bond-fluctuation model. In the case of “antisymmetric” walls (right wall attracts component A with the same strength as does left wall component B) the phase diagram is symmetric around volume fraction ϕ = 1/2. For very thin films (or very weak surface fields) one finds a single critical point at ϕ_c = 1/2, as in the bulk. For thicker films, or stronger surface fields, the phase diagram exhibits two critical points and two concomitant coexistence regions, down to a triple point T_t, while below the triple point there is a single coexistence region. When the film thickness D → ∞, the two coexistence regions for T>T_t shrink into the prewetting lines, while T_t approaches the wetting transition temperature. Asymmetric surface forces are also considered, studying the smooth crossover from “ antisymmetric walls” to “ symmetric walls” (that both attract the A component with the same strength). The resulting crossover between capillary-type behavior (i.e., a single critical point of the thin film) and the above behavior with two critical points is analyzed. Particular attention is paid to the behavior of interfaces between coexisting phases.