Predicting Oligomer/Polymer Compatibility and its Impact on Nanoscale Segregation in Thin Films

Sabattié, Elise; Tasche, Jos; Wilson, Mark Richard; Skoda, Maximilian W.A.; Hughes, Arwel V.; Lindner, Torsten; Thompson, Richard

doi:10.1039/c7sm00048k

Predicting Oligomer/Polymer Compatibility and its Impact on Nanoscale Segregation in Thin Films

Sabattié, Elise; Tasche, Jos; Wilson, Mark Richard; Skoda, Maximilian W.A.; Hughes, Arwel V.; Lindner, Torsten; Thompson, Richard

Authors

Elise Sabattié

Jos Tasche

Professor Mark Wilson mark.wilson@durham.ac.uk
Professor

Maximilian W.A. Skoda

Arwel V. Hughes

Torsten Lindner

Dr Richard Thompson r.l.thompson@durham.ac.uk
Associate Professor

Abstract

Compatibility between oligomers and polymers was systematically assessed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and correlated with similarity in saturation and solubility parameter. These measurements enabled validation of detailed volume of mixing calculations using Statistical Association Fluid Theory (SAFT-γ Mie) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, which can be used to predict behaviour beyond the experimentally accessibly conditions. These simulations confirmed that squalane is somewhat more compatible with poly(isoprene), “PI” than poly(butadiene), “PB”, and further enabled prediction of the temperature dependence of compatibility. Surface and interfacial segregation of a series of deuterated oligomers was quantified in rubbery polymer films PI, PB and hydrogenated poly(isoprene) “hPI”. A striking correlation was established between surface wetting transition and mixtures of low compatibility, such as oligo-dIB in PB or PI. Segregation was quantified normal to the surface by ion beam analysis and neutron reflectometry and in some cases lateral segregation was observable by AFM. While surface segregation is driven by disparity in molecular weight in highly compatible systems this trend reverses as critical point is approached, and surface segregation increases with increasing oligomer molecular weight.

Citation

Sabattié, E., Tasche, J., Wilson, M. R., Skoda, M. W., Hughes, A. V., Lindner, T., & Thompson, R. (2017). Predicting Oligomer/Polymer Compatibility and its Impact on Nanoscale Segregation in Thin Films. Soft Matter, 13(19), 3580-3591. https://doi.org/10.1039/c7sm00048k

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Apr 14, 2017
Online Publication Date	Apr 18, 2017
Publication Date	May 21, 2017
Deposit Date	Apr 21, 2017
Publicly Available Date	Apr 14, 2018
Journal	Soft Matter
Print ISSN	1744-683X
Electronic ISSN	1744-6848
Publisher	Royal Society of Chemistry
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	13
Issue	19
Pages	3580-3591
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1039/c7sm00048k