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Effect of temperature and water on microphase separation of PCL–PEO–PCL triblock copolymers

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Abstract

Microphase separation of poly(ε-caprolactone-ethylene oxide-ε-caprolactone) (PCL–PEO–PCL), with block number-average molecular weights of 9,100–30,400–9,100 g/mol, was studied. Cylindrical morphology was observed in a solvent-cast sample. When the as-cast sample was heated above the melting points of both PEO and PCL blocks, a change in morphology was observed by Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS). When this sample was cooled to room temperature in the ambient atmosphere, another morphology (lamellae) was observed with SAXS and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). This asymmetric change in morphology suggests a role of kinetics (microphase separation and crystallization) in determining the observed microstructures. Addition of water at room temperature also affected microphase separation of the block copolymer due to hydrophilicity of PEO. As the polymer concentration decreases from 100 to 60%, the morphology changes from cylinders to lamellae. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) data show that water addition decreases PEO crystallinity but PCL crystallinity remains.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Mr. Wright of the High Voltage Research Laboratory at MIT for assistance in conducting the electron beam crosslinking experiments, and GPC analysis was gratefully provided by Dr. Erdodi at the University of Akron.

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  1. Jungmee Kang

    Present address: Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Goodyear Polymer Center Rm 414, Akron, OH, 44325-3909, USA

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  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave. Room 66-558, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA

    Jungmee Kang & Kenneth J. Beers

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  1. Jungmee Kang
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Correspondence to Jungmee Kang.

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Kang, J., Beers, K.J. Effect of temperature and water on microphase separation of PCL–PEO–PCL triblock copolymers. Polym. Bull. 63, 723–734 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-009-0169-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-009-0169-1

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