Synthesis and Characterization of Phase-Separated Triblock Copolymers Functionalized with Imidazolium Units Made via Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization

摘要

A new type of triblock copolymer made with an inmidazolium-based poly (IL) mid-block and conventional alkyl-type hydrophobic end blocks is described herein. The morphology of this material in a solvent-free melt state was examined using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) which indicated a principal diffraction peak for six different block ratios and indicated multiple higher order reflections for two of those block ratios. The success of block connectivity within the triblock samples was determine by comparing the SAXS data of a triblock copolymer that showed a highly ordered morphology to the SAXS data of a physical blend of analogous homopolymers which showed a highly disordered morphology.