The Structural Features of Low Molecular Weight Ionic Diblock Polymers Based on Group Transfer Polymerized Methacrylates

The solid-state ordered structures formed by low M a ionic diblock copolymers of less than 10,000 g/mol, made by group-transfer polymerization of methacrylates, were studied. The unquaternized diblocks exhibit no structure via small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and are apparently below their critical value of XN in a disordered melt state at room temperature. However, the amine salt ionomers exhibit morphologies ranging from dispersed spheres to lamellae which were investigated by SAXS and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The morphology depends strongly on the size and proportion of the blocks, the extent of quaternization, and the concentration of the blocks in the casting solution.