Intrinsic nanoscale phase separation in polymers

Abstract

Intrinsic nanoscale phase separation in polymers is demonstrated experimentally and theoretically for the first time. Dense stable nanodots with size ≈ 80 nm have been created over large areas in polymethylmethacrylate and poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) blend films, and a model is developed to show that the intrinsic nanoscale phase separation is related to the hydrogen bonding and size-dependent surface tension intimately.

Self-assembled intrinsic nanoscale phase separation in polymers

“…Recently, it was reported that high-density stable nanospheres with size ≈ 80 nm existed in miscible polymethylmethacrylate[PMMA]/poly(vinylidene fluoridetrifluoroethylene)[P(VDF-TrFE)] blend films [16]. The measurement of the surface potential [16,17] shows that PMMA nanodots are in ferroelectric P(VDF-TrFE) [18] matrix in the phase separation. Such a nanoscale phase separation is useful for the design of nanostructures and organic solar cells [19,20].…”

“…Such a nanoscale phase separation is useful for the design of nanostructures and organic solar cells [19,20]. It may exist widely in miscible polymer blends with strong interphase interactions [16].…”

Intrinsic nanoscale phase separation in miscible mixtures and supramolecular assemblies

“…[7][8][9] Nanoscale order exists in ferroelectric polymer blend. 10,11 The behavior in polymers has been explained initially. 10,11 Miscible solids originates from the behavior that their phases above T g are miscible.…”

“…10,11 The behavior in polymers has been explained initially. 10,11 Miscible solids originates from the behavior that their phases above T g are miscible. Thus the problem is why nanoscale order exists in miscible liquids.…”

“…Fig.1(a) shows the schematic depiction of an intrinsic nanoscale phase separation in poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)[P(VDF-TrFE)]/polymethylmethacrylate [PMMA] blend. 10,11 In a similar phase separation, when molecules or atoms are spheres or free Gaussian chains( Fig.1(c)), they will form discrete spheres. Otherwise they will form other nanostructures.…”