Macromolecules, Vol.48, No.14, 4967-4973, 2015
ABA Triblock Brush Polymers: Synthesis, Self-Assembly, Conductivity, and Rheological Properties
The synthesis, self-assembly; conductivity, and rheological properties of ABA triblock brush polymers (BBCPs) with grafted polystyrene (A block, N-PS = 21) and poly,(ethylene oxide) (B block, N-PEO = 45) side chains are reported. Two backbone molecular weights (N-A:N-B:N-A = 11:78:11 and 15:119:15) were investigated with lithium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide (LiTFSI) doping ratios 2 <= [EO]:[Li+] <= 20. Blends with 2 <= [EO]: [Li+] <= 10 suppress PEO crystallization and self-assemble into hexagonally packed cylinders of the minority gPS component. Conductivity is on the order of 10(-3) S/cm at 105 degrees C with a corresponding elastic modulus ca. 10(4) Pa. The optimum conductivity occurs at a blend ratio near 10:1 [EO]: [Li+], similar to that reported for linear block copolymer analogues.