The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Phase behavior of end-functionalized block copolymers has attracted considerable interest. In particular, ion-dipole electrostatic interactions at polymer chain ends markedly modifies conventional phase diagrams, enabling various strategies to stabilize unconventional morphologies with and without additives. Most studies have focused on attaching functional moieties to ionophilic block ends, resulting in diverse network structures. However, under salt-rich conditions, such ionic interactions diffuse non-selectively throughout the ionophilic matrix, diminishing the specificity and directionality of chain end interactions. Here, we investigate amphiphilic block copolymers with end-group modifications at the ends of ionophobic blocks. Their self-assembled morphologies, investigated in the presence and absence of additives, reveal that localizing polar groups within ionophobic subdomains plays a key role in modulating the interfacial curvature during block copolymer self-assembly.