KINETICS OF PHASE-SEPARATION IN A DIBLOCK COPOLYMER MELT

The kinetics of microphase separation in diblock copolymers is conside red under the assumption that a lamellar structure is formed. Numerica l simulation of the process is performed on the basis of kinetic equat ion obtained in the mean-field approximation. At initial stages of sep aration (when the characteristic wavelengths of concentration fluctuat ions are close to the characteristic wavelength of the maximum growth mode), the hindrance scenario, which was previously discovered in the studies of spinodal decomposition of binary mixtures of linear polymer s, is realized. Expectedly, in contrast to spinodal decomposition, the macroscopic separation accompanied by the growth of long-wavelength f luctuations is never attained, and the process ultimately results in t he formation of lamellar structures.