ZB 10 - Soft Condensed Matter (R. Holyst)

COPOLYMERS AS AMPHIPHILES IN TERNARY MIXTURES - AN ANALYSIS EMPLOYING DISORDER, EQUIMAXIMA, AND LIFSHITZ LINES

Author(s): HOLYST, R and SCHICK, M
Title: COPOLYMERS AS AMPHIPHILES IN TERNARY MIXTURES - AN ANALYSIS EMPLOYING DISORDER, EQUIMAXIMA, AND LIFSHITZ LINES
Abstract: We study the phase diagram and scattering functions of a ternary mixture A and B homopolymers, in equal concentrations, and AB diblock We locate the disorder line, which marks the appearance of oscillatory decaying correlation functions in the system, and the Lifshitz and equimaxima lines of the structure functions. At lines, the oscillatory component becomes dominant in a given so that the peak in scattering intensity is no longer at the wave vector. We find that while the Lifshitz line of the structure of all A monomers is quite close to the disorder line, that of monomers in the homopolymer only is far from it. This shows that the orders the homopolymers inefficiently, a behavior which is reflected in the copolymer's weak ability to solubilize them, and contrasts with the amphiphilic solubilizers of oil and water. The line and all Lifshitz lines meet at a Lifshitz tricritical As these ternary mixtures provide a rare opportunity to study unusual point, we discuss its effects on the structure functions and surface tensions.
Pages: 7728-7737
Journal: JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
Volume: 96
ID: ISI:A1992HU55700055
Year: 1992
DOI: 10.1063/1.462372