Theory of Microphase Segregation in ABA Triblock Comb-Shaped Copolymers: Lamellar Mesophase

A theory describing lamellar mesophases formed in the melt of ABA triblock copolymers with strongly incompatible comblike blocks is developed using a combination strong-stretching self-consistent field (SS-SCF) analytical approach and numerical calculations based on Scheutjens-Fleer (SF-SCF) methods. The structural thermodynamic properties lamellae are analyzed as function their architectural parameters, i.e., grafting density polymerization degree main side chains comb-shaped blocks. In particular, we distinguish between loops bridges by middle block demonstrate how fraction connecting neighboring AB interfaces layers shear modulus mesophase mediated parameters predict an increase upon replacement linear ones same composition. asymptotic predictions complemented results modeling.