Wh. Jo et al., Effect of the reactivity of a crosslinking agent on the microphase separation in sequential IPNs: A Monte Carlo simulation study, J POL SC PP, 38(8), 2000, pp. 1005-1012
The effects of the reactivity of a crosslinking agent on the microphase-sep
arated structure of sequential interpenetrating polymer networks are analyz
ed with a Monte Carlo simulation technique. The simulation results showed t
hat the maximum structure factor decreases with an increasing crosslinking
rate. However, the maximum structure factor increases when the crosslinking
rate is increased further. This behavior is explained by a competition bet
ween the phase separation and the restriction of chain mobility due to the
increase in molecular weight. In addition, there exists a chain length wher
e the chain motion is the most restricted when crosslinks are formed. (C) 2
000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.