Jh. Youk et Wh. Jo, Miscibility-induced sequential reordering in random copolyesters: A Monte Carlo simulation, MACROMOLEC, 34(21), 2001, pp. 7530-7536
Miscibility-induced sequential reordering (MISR) was investigated using a M
onte Carlo simulation method in two systems, i.e., a ternary copolyester sy
stem and a binary copolyester system in the presence of a third noncondensa
tion polymer. A homogeneous AB random copolymer/C homopolymer blend was use
d as an initial blend. Phase separation and ester-interchange reactions wer
e performed simultaneously at a trial ratio of 100/1 using a one-site bond
fluctuation model, MISR was monitored by calculating the number-average seq
uence length of each segment. In the case of the ternary copolyester system
, ester-interchange reactions between segments A, B, and C were attempted u
nder various attractive and repulsive interaction energies between the thre
e. It was found that MISR of segment A was induced only when segment C was
miscible with segment B. The more repulsive segments A and C are and the mo
re attractive segments B and C are, the longer the sequence length of the s
egment A becomes. In the case of a binary copolyester system in the presenc
e of a third noncondensation polymer, segment A or B is sequentially reorde
red, accompanied by phase separation of the blend, when segment C is miscib
le with either segment A or B, respectively. The more repulsive the interac
tion between segments A and C is and the more attractive the interaction be
tween segments B and C is, the longer the sequence length of segments A and
B becomes.