(692f) In-Silico Dynamic Properties of the “Bricks-and-Mortar” Mesophase from Binary Miktoarm Star Block Copolymer/Homopolymer Blends

Experiments and simulations investigating the behavior of binary blends of A-b-(B-b-A’)_n miktoarm star block copolymers and A homopolymers have revealed the existence of a unique fluctuation-stabilized mesophase dubbed the “bricks-and-mortar” phase, so named because it features a continuous “mortar” phase of the B-type polymer with a discrete “bricks” phase of the A-type polymer. The potential to incorporate very high volume fractions of A-type polymer while maintaining a discrete A phase has led to the consideration of such materials as strong yet flexible thermoplastic elastomers. The eventual application of these materials as TPEs will require an understanding both of their behavior while being processed (above the glass transition temperature of all constituent polymers) and while being deformed (below the glass transition temperature of the stiff A-type polymer). We use simulations to probe the behavior of these blends in both situations, providing molecular level insight into their linear viscoelastic properties as well as their response to uniaxial tension.