(32g) Exploring Asymmetric Interfaces in Asymmetric Bottlebrush Linear Block Copolymers

Recently asymmetric linear block bottlebrush block copolymers have attracted much interested for their unique phase behavior. However, while much study has been devoted to the influence of this architectural asymmetry on the phase diagram, far fewer examinations have been done on the interface in these self-assembled systems. In this talk we compare scaling of the interfacial thickness with sidechain length, incompatibility, and volume fraction. While scaling with incompatibility characterized by the χ parameter behaves as expected, we find other substantial deviations. Most notably we find that increasing the degree of asymmetry via side chain length increases the overall degree of asymmetry in the interface itself. This asymmetric interface arises due to the bottlebrush polymer promoting interfacial mixing in a way that is not predicted by existing scaling theories that describe polymer interfaces.