Self-Consistent Field Modeling of Diblock Copolymers in Selective Solvents

POSTER

Abstract

The purpose of my poster is to study the driving forces behind the self-assembly of a diblock copolymer AB, consisting of a solventphilic block (B) and a solventphobic block (A), in selective solvents (S). Micellar transformations between spherical, cylindrical, and bilayer curvatures for a model system are tracked using self-consistent field modeling, in real space, in the dilute regime. The transition from a concentrated regime, $\phi_{\rm{AB}} \sim 1$, to a dilute regime, $\phi_{\rm{AB}} \sim 0$, is studied. Phase portrait for the concentrated regime is generated using periodic self-consistent field modeling. The unbinding transition, as seen in the periodic counterpart of self-consistent field theory, is compared with the transformations observed in the dilute regime. The two phase regions in the dilute regime are mapped out for the inverted phases as well.

Authors

  • Raghuram Thiagarajan

    Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455

  • David Morse

    Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455