Microphase separation and crystallization in binary blends consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-polystyrene copolymer and poly(vinylidene fluoride)

Abstract

Microdomain structures and crystallization behavior of the binary blends consisting of an asymmetric block copolymer and a homopolymer were investigated using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), optical microscope (OM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-polystyrene block copolymer (PMMA-b-PS) (weight fraction of PMMA = 0.53) was mixed with low molecular weight poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). As the PVDF concentration was increased, the morphological change from a lamellar to a cylindrical structure occurred. The crystallization of PVDF significantly disturbed the orientation of the pre-existing microdomain structure, resulting in a poorly ordered morphology. In the blends, PVDF exhibited unique crystallization behavior due to the PMMA block which is preferentially miscible to PVDF and the space constraint imposed by the microdomains.