Abstract:
In order to investigate the effect of molecular chain rigidity on the aggregation behavior of block copolymers, the self-assembly behavior of rod-coil diblock copolymers in selective solvents was investigated using the lattice self-consistent field theory. By calculating the heat capacity curve, it is found that the aggregation structure of the system varies with temperature under different concentration conditions. At low and intermediate concentrations, multiple aggregation peaks appear on the heat capacity curves, indicating that the aggregation behavior appears multiple rearrangements. Namely, the micellar growth was realized through morphologcial transformation. At relatively high and high concentrations, the micellar structure adjustment behavior was significantly weakened due to the increase in concentration, and no morphological transformation is observed, but only quasi-cubic micellar ordered/disordered transformation is observed, and even micellar fusion occurs at high concentrations. These results indicate that the rigid rod has a significant effect on the self-assembly behavior of block copolymers which is closely related to concentration.