To: 03/03/2021 14:00
Multiblock copolymers with charged blocks are complex systems which show great potential for enhancing the structural control of block copolymers. We investigate the morphologies formed in thin films prepared from aqueous solutions having different pH values. In my talk, I will present two examples: (i) The morphologies formed by pentablock quaterpolymers featuring hydrophobic end blocks as well as pH-responsive and hydrophilic midblocks can be controlled by the choice of the pH value during film preparation and the solvent polarity during solvent vapor swelling. (ii) A pentablock terpolymer with hydrophobic end blocks and two types of weak cationic polyelectrolyte midblocks. In this system, the mixing behavior of the blocks and the block sequence, governing the bridging behavior, result in strong variations of the nanostructures and their repeat distances.