MICROPHASE AND MACROPHASE SEPARATION IN BLENDS OF REVERSIBLY ASSOCIATING ONE-END-FUNCTIONALIZED POLYMERS

Phase diagrams for reversibly associating one-end-functionalized chain molecules (with an emphasis on hydrogen bonding) are determined by co mputer simulations of a cubic lattice model employing canonical and gr and canonical Monte Carlo methods. Due to the relatively short chain l engths used, the stability of the homogeneous state is strongly enhanc ed compared to mean-field random phase approximation predictions. Char acteristic phenomenon such as reappearing phases and macrophase separa tion into two phases, at least one of which is microphase separated, a re observed and discussed. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.