MICROHETEROPHASE STRUCTURE OF THE A-B-A-TYPE BLOCK COPOLYMER CONSISTING OF ALPHA-HELICAL POLY(GAMMA-BENZYL L-GLUTAMATE) AS THE A-COMPONENT AND POLYBUTADIENE AS THE B-COMPONENT

The microheterophase separation produced by a novel A-B-A type block copolymer of γ-benzyl L-glutamate (A) and butadiene (B) in helicogenic solvent was thermodynamically investigated by taking into account conformational parameters of the component block chains, A block as a rod-like chain and B block as a Gaussian chain. The microheterophase structure resulting therefrom was analyzed based on three well-defined types of micelle model, i.e., sphere, cylinder, and lamella. For determining the micelle dimensions, the interfacial free energy of the A/B interface was evaluated from surface tensions of both block component polymers estimated from contact angles of various liquids on the component polymers. The shape and size of the micelles, i.e., the microphase domains, calculated were in accord with the observation by electron microscopy. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.