ON THE STATIC SCATTERING OF LINEAR AND CYCLIC COPOLYMERS IN SOLUTION

In this article, the static scattering properties of linear and cyclic copolymers in solution are discussed. A theoretical formalism is prop osed which could be useful in examining the recent light scattering da ta obtained by Amis et al. The cases of a triblock linear copolymer ma de of three equal blocks PDMS-PS-PDMS in cyclohexane, and its counterp art, the cyclic diblock PDMS-PS in the same conditions of molecular we ight, composition, concentration, and temperature are considered. Anot her linear copolymer made of two blocks of the same nature as the cycl ic copolymer is also investigated within the same formalism. The varia tions of the scattered intensity with the wave vector q, the concentra tion of polymer and the temperature of the solution are considered. Th e effects of temperature on the apparent virial coefficient and the ef fects of concentration on the apparent radius of gyration are also dis cussed. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.