POS1-0414
Sequence Distribution Design for Tunable Miscibility and Self-Assembly in Amphiphilic Random Copolymer Mixtures
When and Where
Nov 30, -0001
12:00am - 12:00am
Presenter(s)
Jimin Yoo (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST))
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Random copolymers inherently possess heterogeneous composition distributions, even at an identical average composition, yet the influence of sequence distribution on polymer miscibility and self-assembly remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate how sequence distribution governs the collective behavior of amphiphilic random copolymer mixtures in concentrated aqueous environments. A library of poly(dodecyl acrylate-r-poly(ethylene glycol) acrylate) [P(DDA-r-PEGA)] copolymers was synthesized via RAFT polymerization and combined to construct binary and ternary mixtures with identical average compositions but different distribution profiles. Structural, mechanical, and thermal characterization revealed a sequence distribution-dependent transition from co-assembly to self-sorting behavior. Narrow distributions retained folded lamellar structures, whereas broader distributions progressively disrupted structural ordering and eventually induced macrophase separation. Furthermore, introducing copolymers with internal composition restored ordered structures and improved mechanical stability despite comparable distribution widths. These results demonstrate that sequence distribution serves as an effective design parameter for tuning miscibility and self-assembly in amphiphilic random copolymer systems, providing a new strategy for controlling material structure.
