Poly(bisphenol A carbonate)-poly(dimethylsiloxane) multiblock copolymers

A versatile technique for the synthesis of multiblock copolymers of polydim ethylsiloxane (PDMS) and poly(bisphenol A carbonate) (PC) is described. Spe cific reaction of the phenol end groups of alpha,omega -bis(bisphenol A)-te rminated PDMS with the activated end groups of alpha,omega -bis(ortho-nitro phenylcarbonate)-endcapped PC yields PC-PDMS multiblock copolymers and orth o-nitrophenol. The morphology and influence of crystallization of the polyc arbonate blocks is studied using solution-cast films. When THF is used as c asting solvent instead of chloroform, the crystallinity of the PC blocks in creases resulting in smaller domain spacings as measured by Small Angle X-r ay Scattering (SAXS) and the solution-cast film has a lower strain to failu re as measured by tensile testing. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All right s reserved.