Published in

American Chemical Society, Macromolecules, 15(35), p. 5974-5979, 2002

DOI: 10.1021/ma0205313

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

Fractionation of Block Copolymers Prepared by Anionic Polymerization into Fractions Exhibiting Three Different Morphologies

Journal article published in 2002 by Soojin Park, Donghyun Cho, Jinsook Ryu, Kyoon Kwon, Wonmok Lee ORCID, Taihyun Chang
This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

Full text: Download

Green circle
Preprint: archiving allowed
  • Must obtain written permission from Editor
  • Must not violate ACS ethical Guidelines
Orange circle
Postprint: archiving restricted
  • Must obtain written permission from Editor
  • Must not violate ACS ethical Guidelines
Red circle
Published version: archiving forbidden
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

In this study we fractionated polystyrene-block-polyisoprene diblock copolymers (PS-b-PI) prepared by anionic polymerization into fractions which have a narrower distribution in molecular weight as well as in chemical composition. The strategy was to use two-dimensional HPLC:  reversed phase HPLC to fractionate PI block and normal phase HPLC to fractionate PS block with a minimal effect of the other block. The working principle of the separation method was confirmed for a low molecular weight PS-b-PI (2.4 kg/mol). With the aid of matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry, we found that the separation method could resolve each mer of the PS-b-PI. We extended the application to a high molecular weight diblock copolymer (24 kg/mol) and established the method as a promising tool to further fractionate block copolymers into molecular species better defined in molecular weight as well as in composition. We observed a significant variation in average molecular weight as well as in composition of the fractionated samples. These variations were large enough to show different morphologies for the fractions taken from the same mother block copolymer.