• Macromolecular Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.18-23
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• 2002

We theoretically consider blends of two monodisperse one-end-functionalized homopolymers (denoted by A and B) capable of forming clusters between functional groups (stickers) using weak segregation theory. In this model system resulting molecular architectures via clustering resemble star copolymers having many A- and B-arms. Minimizing the total free energy with respect the cluster distribution, the equilibrium distribution of clusters is obtained and used for RPA (Random Phase Approximation) equations as input. For the case that polymers are functionalized by only one kind of sticker, the phase diagrams show that the associations promote the macrophase separation. When there is strong affinity between stickers belonging to the different polymer species, on the other hand, the phase diagram show a suppression of the macrophase separation at the range of high temperature regime, as well as the phase coexistence between a disordered and a mesoscopic phase at the relatively lower temperatures.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.873-885
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• 1995

The local structural and thermodynamical properties of blends A-B/H of a diblock copolymer A-B and a homopolymer H are studied using the polymer reference interaction site model (RISM) integral equation theory with the mean-spherical approximation closure. The random phase approximation (RPA)-like static scattering function is derived and the interaction parameter is obtained to investigate the phase transition behaviors in A-B/H blends effectively. The dependences of the microscopic interaction parameter and the macrophase-microphase separation on temperature, molecular weight, block composition and segment size ratio of the diblock copolymer, density, and concentration of the added homopolymer, are investigated numerically within the framework of Gaussian chain statistics. The numerical calculations of site-site interchain pair correlation functions are performed to see the local structures for the model blends. The calculated phase diagrams for A-B/H blends from the polymer RISM theory are compared with results by the RPA model and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Our extended formal version shows the different feature from RPA in the microscopic phase separation behavior, but shows the consistency with TEM qualitatively. Scaling relationships of scattering peak, interaction parameter, and temperature at the microphase separation are obtained for the molecular weight of diblock copolymer. They are compared with the recent data by small-angle neutron scattering measurements.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.11.2-11.2
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• 2011

Polymer based organic photovoltaics have attracted a great deal of attention due to the potential cost-effectiveness of light-weight and flexible solar cells. However, most BHJ polymer solar cells are not thermally stable as subsequent exposure to heat drives further development of the morphology towards a state of macrophase separation in the micrometer scale. Here we would like to show three different approaches for developing new electroactive polymers to improve the thermal stability of the BHJ solar cells, which is a critical problem for the commercialization of these solar cells. For one of the examples, we report a new series of functionalized polythiophene (PT-x) copolymers for use in solution processed organic photovoltaics (OPVs). PT-x copolymers were synthesized from two different monomers, where the ratio of the monomers was carefully controlled to achieve a UV photo-crosslinkable layer while leaving the ${\pi}-{\pi}$ stacking feature of conjugated polymers unchanged. The crosslinking stabilizes PT-x/PCBM blend morphology preventing the macro phase separation between two components, which lead to OPVs with remarkably enhanced thermal stability. The drastic improvement in thermal stabilities is further characterized by microscopy as well as grazing incidence X-ray scattering (GIXS). In the second part of talk, we will discuss the use of block copolymers as active materials for WOLEDs in which phosphorescent emitter isolation can be achieved. We have exploited the use of triarylamine (TPA) oxadiazole (OXA) diblock copolymers (TPA-b-OXA), which have been used as host materials due to their high triplet energy and charge-transport properties enabling a balance of holes and electrons. Organization of phosphorescent domains in TPA-b-OXA block copolymers is demonstrated to yield dual emission for white electroluminescence. Our approach minimizes energy transfer between two colored species by site isolation through morphology control, allowing higher loading concentration of red emitters with improved device performance. Furthermore, by varying the molecular weight of TPA-b-OXA and the ratio of blue to red emitters, we have investigated the effect of domain spacing on the electroluminescence spectrum and device performance.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.76-83
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• 1997

Blends of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer(TLCP) with poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) were prepared by the coprecipitation from a common solvent. The blends were processed through a capillary die at $287^{\circ}C$ to produce a monofilament. Morphology and mechanical, thermal properties of blends and composites were examined by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC), tensile test, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Crystallization kinetics of the blends were investigated by the isothermal DSC method. The Avrami analyses were applied to obtain the information on the crystal growth geometry and factors controlling the rate of crystallization. In the blends, liquid crystalline phase did not reveal any significant macrophase separation and thermal degradation at the processing temperature. From scanning electron micrographs of cryogenic fracture surfaces of extruded fibers, the TLCP domains were found to be more or less finely dispersed with $0.1{\mu}m$ to $0.2{\mu}m$ in size. Interfacial adhesion between the TLCP and matrix polymer was excellent. Tensile strength and modulus of TLCP/PET in-situ fiber composites were enhanced with increasing draw ratio and LCP content.