Neutron reflection studies of interfaces between partially miscible and compatibilised immiscible polymers

Abstract

Neutron reflection data are presented for two systems of polymer interfaces. In the first system, two partially miscible pure polymers form a bilayer and are annealed. The shape of the broadened interface formed between them at short times is analysed. In the second example a trilayer of a diblock copolymer with two immiscible polymers is annealed and the shape of the copolymer layer which forms at the homopolymer interface is analysed. In both cases ‘best-guess’ profiles are subjected to Bayesian analysis and it is shown how this can give more confidence in the profiles extracted from neutron reflection data.