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Comparison of Mobility Modes in Polymer Solutions Undergoing Thermal-Induced Phase Separation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 March 2011

Philip K. Chan
Philip K. Chan*
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, Biology and Chemical EngineeringRyerson University350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5B 2K3
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Abstract

The thermal-induced phase separation method is used to fabricate polymer membranes and polymer-dispersed liquid crystal films from polymer solutions. The resultant morphology consists of solvent droplets dispersed uniformly in a solid polymer matrix. Up till now, the modeling and computer simulation of the thermal-induced phase separation phenomenon in polymer solutions have considered the mobility to be a constant. The objective of this presentation is to compare the following three mobility modes: (1) mobility as a constant, (2) mobility following fast mode theory, and (3) mobility following slow mode theory. We present computer simulation results from models composed of the Cahn-Hilliard theory for phase separation, Flory-Huggins free energy density for polymer solutions, and the three aforementioned mobility modes. The numerical results indicate that there is no significant difference in the morphology formed; the only difference occurs in the phase separation time. Furthermore, the numerical results show that the only difference between the slow and fast mode theories is a factor of two; the mobility of the fast mode theory is twice that of the slow mode theory.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 710: Symposia DD – Polymer Interfaces and Thin Films , 2001 , DD4.6.1
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2002

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References

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