Rheological modifiers based on supramolecular block copolymers: From weak associations to interconnected micelles

© 2019 Elsevier B.V. The rheological spectra of poly(n-butyl acrylate) in the presence of a series of P(nBA-b-HEMA) rheology modifiers show a two-step relaxation process originating from the PnBA matrix and the self-assemblies. The HEMA segments are further grafted with strong, hydrogen bonding UPy groups, which both magnifies and slows down the relaxation of the assemblies. The extents of associations are enlightened by studying thermal transitions in DSC, morphological developments by SAXS, and description of rheological properties using a tube-based model. It is revealed that a weak association tendency, due to long hydrophobic blocks, leads to the formation of double-linear or star assemblies, while increasing the association strength results in the formation of micelles. In an optimum block length and UPy content, loosely entangled diblock additives can form an interconnected micellar network with significantly long relaxation time.

Publication year:2019

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Authors:International

Authors from:Higher Education

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