Nanostructures and toughening mechanisms in lightly cross-linked all-methacrylate copolymer/functional block copolymer blends

Nanostructures and toughening mechanisms in lightly cross-linked all-methacrylate copolymer/functional block copolymer blends

Functional triblock copolymers (BCPs), i.e., poly(glycidyl methacrylate/methyl methacrylate)-b-poly(lauryl methacrylate)-b-poly(glycidyl methacrylate/methyl methacrylate) triblock copolymers [(P(GMA/MMA)-b-PLMA-b-P(GMA/MMA)], were investigated as toughening modifiers for all-methacrylate polymer ble...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hajime Kishi, Ayana Kubo, Yohei Miyaji, Ayu Mochizuki, Ryoko Hara, Katsuya Tanaka, Takeshi Kakibe, Satoshi Matsuda
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Budapest University of Technology and Economics 2024-11-01
Series:eXPRESS Polymer Letters
Subjects:
block copolymer
morphology
polymer alloys
nanoblends
compatibilization
Online Access:http://www.expresspolymlett.com/letolt.php?file=EPL-0013062&mi=cd
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Summary:Functional triblock copolymers (BCPs), i.e., poly(glycidyl methacrylate/methyl methacrylate)-b-poly(lauryl methacrylate)-b-poly(glycidyl methacrylate/methyl methacrylate) triblock copolymers [(P(GMA/MMA)-b-PLMA-b-P(GMA/MMA)], were investigated as toughening modifiers for all-methacrylate polymer blends. Methyl methacrylate (MMA) was copolymerized with methacrylic acid (MAA) in the presence of the BCPs. Without MAA in the polymethacrylate matrices, the BCP blends formed micron-scale phase structures by polymerization-induced phase separation. In matrices copolymerized with MAA, self-assembled nanostructures, such as curved lamellae, worm-like cylindrical micelles, or spherical micelles were formed. The BCP blends with worm-like cylindrical nano-micelles achieved much higher fracture toughness than those with spherical nano-micelles. The toughening mechanisms were elucidated by transmission electron microscopy. Cavitation was initiated in worm-like cylindrical nano-micelles, and the aligned cavitation formed craze-like deformation with increased loads. This relieves hydrostatic tensile stress in front of the crack tip, forming a large shear yield zone within the craze-like deformation region, contributing to high toughness.
ISSN:1788-618X

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