Chain Conformation in Elastomeric Multiblock Copolymers as Measured by Small-Angle Neutron Scattering

Small-angle neutron scattering has been shown to be an effective technique for investigating segment conformation in two-phase multiblock copolymer systems. By choosing the appropriate isotopic compositions, either segment can be investigated, as can the whole chain. The best approach to the experiment is to use a phase-contrast matched sample, one where no interphase scattering occurs. This allows the experiments to be carried out on a single sample, simplifying the experiment, and reducing the beam time requirements. Equations (2) and (3) describe the phase-contrast matched criterion. At room temperature, the polyether soft segments in the polyurethane elastomer-and in the polyether-polyester block copolymers are somewhat extended on the average relative to the bulk oligomer conformation. In the polyether-polyester with a lower hard-segment content, the soft segments are less extended than in the higher ester content material. A distribution of conformations occurs in these materials, with a majority of the soft segments being nearly in a random-coil conformation. A substantial number of segments are fairly taut, leading to an average conformation that is somewhat extended relative to the random coil conformation. The soft-segment radius of gyration in the polyurethane material initially decreases with increasing temperature. As the temperature rises, the retractive force on the taut soft segments increases, thus facilitating the extraction of hard segments from the amorphous hard phase into the soft phase. One would expect that the degree of phase separation would decrease with increasing temperature due to such a mechanism, and in fact this is borne out by small-angle x-ray scattering studies. Above 150°C, an upturn in the soft-segment radius of gyration is observed. Koberstein et al. propose a phase mixing transition around this temperature in polyurethane systems. Such a transition implies a greater compatibility between the hard and soft segment types at elevated temperatures. Thus, a swelling of the soft segments is seen due to favorable interactions with the hard segments located in the soft phase. A schematic diagram of the polyurethane microstructure and chain conformation is presented in Figure 9. The soft-segment radius of gyration in the polyether-polyester materials decreases smoothly with increasing temperature. This is primarily due to a decrease in the number of taut tie molecules present at elevated temperatures due to the rearrangement of the hard crystalline domains. In addition, relaxation of stresses introduced by molding these samples below the hard-segment crystalline melting temperature may contribute to the decrease in the soft-segment Rg.