A Molecular Dynamics Simulation on the Self-assembly of ABC Triblock Copolymers.3. Effects of Block Composition in Asymmetric Triblock Copolymers

The self-assembly of asymmetric ABC triblock copolymers in the ordered structure is investigated using an isothermal-isobaric molecular dynamics simulation. Unlike symmetric A BC triblock copolymers, more fascinating mophologies are observed in asymmetric ones because of a larger difference of incompatibility between the components. Various modes of self-assembly in assymmetric ABC triblock copolymers are also observed depending on the block composition. When the composition of block A Is changed from 0.125: to 0.25 at the same $f_B$ : 0.25, the morphological transition from the “cylinder in cylinder” to “cylinders at cylinder” structure is observed in the simulation. In the case of ABC triblocks with $f_B$=0.5, a lamellar-type structure is changed to a cylinder-type structure with increasing the length of block A. When the midblock length increases further to $f_B$=0.625, the “spheres on cylinder” structure is observed in both the $A_{10}$$B_{50}$$C_{20}$ and $A_{20}$$B_{50}$$C_{10}$ triblocks. From these results, the phase diagram of ABC triblock copolymers can be constructed.