Microphase separation in ABC block copolymers with a short but strongly interacting middle block

The effect of the rich parameter space on the order-to-disorder transition and flow regime of the ABC triblock copolymers with implication to processing is studied by employing junction point functionalized copolymers of polystyrenes (PS) and polyisoprenes (PI) and zwitterion (ZW) as the functional group. Small angle X ray spectroscopy and rheology were used for the structure investigation. Results show that inserting the ZW group within the PS and PI junction decreases the miscibility of the PS-PI diblock in accord with theoretical predictions.