Regulation of Physical Networks and Mechanical Properties of Triblock Thermoplastic Elastomer through Introduction of Midblock Similar Crystalline Polymer with Multiblock Architecture

The physical network structure and mechanical properties of styrene-<i>b</i>-(ethylene-<i>co</i>-butylene)-<i>b</i>-styrene (SEBS) were regulated through rational introduction of crystalline olefin multiblock copolymer (OBC). This copolymer comprised alternated crystallizable and amorphous blocks, both of which had similar composition with ethylene-<i>co</i>-butylene (EB) blocks of SEBS. Polarized optical microscope and atom force microscope observations revealed that OBC exhibited distinct crystalline morphologies in blends. On one hand, major OBC chains were macrophase separated with SEBS, generating bulk crystals. On the other hand, small OBC particle crystals with diameter around 10 nm could be distinguished in the SEBS matrix as well. Considering the unique multiblock architecture of OBC, particle crystals could be regarded as additional physical netpoints to SEBS networks as the corresponding amorphous blocks entangled with continuous EB blocks. Because of the interesting crystalline behaviors of OBC in the SEBS matrix, the blend exhibited dramatically elevated elongation at break at both room temperature and relatively high temperature without sacrifice of intrinsic elasticity. We believe this work sheds light on comprehending the interaction between triblock elastomers and blended polymers, and it also demonstrates the feasibility of regulating the apparent properties of triblock copolymers by the blending approach