Date/Time
Date(s) - 03/10/2018
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Dr. An-Chang Shi, McMaster University
Title: Spherical Packing Phases of Block Copolymers

Description: Spherical packing is an interesting problem that is intimately related to the ordered structure of materials. In recent years, intricate periodic and aperiodic spherical packing phases have emerged in a host of soft matter systems including supramolecular assemblies, surfactants and block copolymers. The occurrence of complex ordered phases in these diverse systems underscores the universality of emergent order in condensed matter. The richness of the phase behavior is exemplified by block copolymers. Recent experimental and theoretical studies have revealed that complex ordered phases, such as quasicrystals and the Frank-Kasper phases, could emerge from block copolymers as equilibrium or metastable morphologies. Therefore, block copolymers provide an ideal model system to study the origins and stability of periodic and aperiodic order in condensed matter physics. We have examined the occurrence of complex spherical packing phases in block copolymer systems using the self-consistent field theory. Our study reveals that one key mechanism of forming complex spherical phases is the conformational asymmetry of the blocks. Furthermore, we have predicted that the segregation of different polymeric species in block copolymer blends provides another mechanism to stabilize spherical packing phases with very different sized-spherical domains. In my presentation, I will summarize recent theoretical and experimental progresses on this fascinating topic and discuss possible future research directions.

Location: ABB-102

Website – https://physics.mcmaster.ca/component/comprofiler/userprofile/shi.html?Itemid=351

Host: Kari Dalnoki-Veress