Effect of Branching on Phase Behaviors of ABC Triblock Copolymers in Nonfrustrated Systems

TL;DR

This study uses self-consistent-field theory to explore how branching influences the phase behaviors of ABC triblock copolymers, revealing stable complex phases in nonfrustrated systems.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the phase behavior of branched ABC triblock copolymers, highlighting the stability of complex phases in nonfrustrated conditions.

Findings

Frank-Kasper phases are stable in the studied system.

Asymmetric sphere phases are observed.

Traditional phases from diblock copolymers are also stable.

Abstract

The phase behavior of linear dendritic triblock copolymer melts(AB2C4) is studied by self-consistent-field theory (SCFT) in order to find the effects of branching on the phase behavior of ABC linear triblock copolymer melts. We focus on a nonfrustrated parameters that \c{hi}NAB=\c{hi}NBC=\c{hi}NAC=40 where A/C interface will not form. Frank-Kasper phases, asymmetric alternative sphere as well as traditional phases observed in diblock copolymer melts are found to be stable in the calculation.