Blends of PS-PMMA diblock copolymers with a directionally hydrogen bonding polymer additive

Abstract

The thin film morphologies observed for blends of poly(styrene-h- methylmethacrylate) (PS-PMMA) with poly(styrene) possessing a hydrogen bonding tetra-urea segment at its center has been reported. Block copolymers self-assemble into a range of morphologies that enable their utility in a number of potential applications such as lithography, plastics, and other nanostructured materials. Bromine-terminated polystyrene polymers were synthesized using atom transfer radical polymerization. Discoloration of the films was observed for the samples heated for extended periods of time, while no such change was observed for samples heated for two minutes at 240 °C. The hydrogen bonding polymer was localized within the PS domain of the diblock copolymer. Thus, the architecture of the supramolecular assembly appears to have an impact upon the miscibility of the assembly with the PS domain.