https://doi.org/10.1007/s100510050879
Secondary super-structures in random copolymers
Department of Applied Mathematics,
University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
Corresponding author: a a.semenov@leeds.ac.uk
Received:
15
July
1998
Revised:
18
January
1999
Published online: 15 August 1999
Secondary domain superstructures in correlated random block copolymers
are considered theoretically using the concept of the second order
parameter related to fluctuations of the local mean block length. It is
shown that the size of secondary domains, Λ, is much larger than the
primary domain size, L: , while
, where ϵ is a small
parameter defining the composition asymmetry. Different secondary
morphologies are characterized. It is also shown that
separation of the system in two macroscopic phases with different
primary morphologies predicted earlier using the free energy
expansion up to
(ψ is the
usual order parameter related to local
composition) is an artifact of this
widely accepted theoretical model.
PACS: 36.20.Ey – Conformation (statistics and dynamics) / 61.25.Hq – Macromolecular and polymer solutions; polymer melts; swelling / 61.41.+e – Polymers, elastomers, and plastics
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag, 1999