Langmuir, Vol.14, No.7, 1586-1589, 1998
Effects of polystyrene on the gel formation of polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene/butylene)-b-polystyrene in n-decane
The effects of homopolystyrene on the gel formation in n-decane solutions of polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene/butylene)-b-polystyrene and polystyrene were investigated. It was found that the polystyrene content in the gels influenced the sol-gel transition, mechanical properties, and swelling behavior. An increment in the percentage of polystyrene caused an increase of the sol-gel transition temperature, the elastic storage modulus, and the equilibrium swelling ratio. These effects would be related to the solubilization of polystyrene chains into the gel junctions that increases the thermal stability of the gel.
Keywords:SYMMETRICAL TRIBLOCK COPOLYMERS;OSCILLATORY SHEAR MEASUREMENTS;LIGHT-SCATTERING;BLOCK-COPOLYMER;AQUEOUS-SOLUTION;LINEAR VISCOELASTICITY;SEMIDILUTE SOLUTIONS;MICELLAR SOLUTIONS;SELECTIVE SOLVENT;DILUTE-SOLUTIONS