The Influence of Electric Fields on the Order-Disorder Transition Temperature of Block Copolymer Systems

ORAL

Abstract

We investigate the influence of electric fields on the phase behavior of diblock copolymers in concentrated solutions using synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (synchrotron SAXS). When heating the solutions through the order-disorder transition temperature {$T_{\mathrm{ODT}}$}, we find a significant decrease in {$T_{\mathrm{ODT}}$} with increasing electric-field strength. In addition we found a temperature regime in which it is possible to switch between the mixed and phase separated state at constant temperature upon application of a moderate electric field.

*This work was carried out in the framework of the SFB 481 (TP A2) funded by the German Science Foundation (DFG). AB acknowledges financial support by the Lichtenberg-Program of the VolkswagenStiftung.

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Authors

  • Heiko Schoberth

    • Lehrstuhl fuer Physikalische Chemie II, Universitaet Bayreuth, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany

  • Kristin Schmidt

    • Materials Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA

  • Kerstin Schindler

    • Lehrstuhl fuer Physikalische Chemie II, Universitaet Bayreuth, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany

  • Alexander B\"oker

    • Lehrstuhl fuer Physikalische Chemie II, Universitaet Bayreuth, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany