Self-Consistent Field Theory of Multiply-Branched Block Copolymer Melts

TL;DR

This paper develops a numerical algorithm to evaluate the self-consistent field theory for complex multiply-branched block copolymer melts, analyzing phase stability and interface conformations.

Contribution

It introduces a new computational method for modeling multiply-branched copolymer melts and examines phase stability and interface behavior.

Findings

Stability of the cubic A15 phase in micelle arrangements.

Interfaces tend to conform to Voronoi cell geometries.

Algorithm effectively models complex branched architectures.

Abstract

We present a numerical algorithm to evaluate the self-consistent field theory for melts composed of block copolymers with multiply-branched architecture. We present results for the case of branched copolymers with doubly-functional groups for multiple branching generations. We discuss the stability of the cubic phase of spherical micelles, the A15 phase, as a consequence of tendency of the AB interfaces to conform to the polyhedral environment of the Voronoi cell of the micelle lattice.