Contrasting the Compatibilizing Activity of Comb and Linear Copolymers

Using Monte Carlo computer simulations, we compared the interfacial behavior of various comb and linear copolymers at a penetrable interface, which represents the boundary between two incompatible homopolymers, A and B. The backbone of the combs is composed of A sites (the majority of the species in the comb), while the teeth are composed of B sites. We varied the number and length of the teeth and found that combs with fewer, longer teeth can more readily localize at the interface than combs with multiple, short teeth. In addition, combs will more readily localize at the interface them comparable linear multiblocks. The findings highlight the importance of molecular architecture in determining the interfacial activity of copolymers. The results also provide guidelines for fabricating copolymers that act as the optimal compatibilizers between immiscible polymers.