Self-assembly of block copolymers grafted onto a flat substrate:Recent progress in theory and simulations

Block copolymers are a class of soft matter that self-assemble to form ordered morphologies on the scale of nanome- ters, making them ideal materials for various applications. These applications directly depend on the shape and size of the self-assembled morphologies, and hence, a high degree of control over the self-assembly is desired. Grafting block copolymer chains onto a substrate to form copolymer brushes is a versatile method to fabricate functional surfaces. Such surfaces demonstrate a response to their environment, i.e., they change their surface topography in response to different external conditions. Furthermore, such surfaces may possess nanoscale patterns, which are important for some applica- tions; however, such patterns may not form with spun-cast films under the same condition. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of the self-assembly of block copolymers grafted onto a flat substrate. We mainly concentrate on the self-assembled morphologies of end-grafted AB dibloek eopolymers, junction p0int-grafted AB diblock copolymers （i.e., Y-shaped brushes）, and end-grafted ABA triblock copolymers. Special emphasis is placed on theoretical and simulation progress.

Performance and synergistic effect of phenolic and thio antioxidants in ABS graft copolymers

The synergistic effect of phenolic and thio antioxidants on the stabilization of acrylonitrile-butadienestyrene(ABS)graft copolymers has been studied.Three commercial antioxidants Irganox245,Irganox1076 and dilauryl thiodipropionate(DLTP)were selected.Formulations based on hindered phenols and secondary antioxidant DLTP were prepared.Stabilization was monitored in terms of changes in the functional groups(oxidation products),tensile properties and yellowness index.Differential scanning calorimetry(DSC)and thermogravimetry(TG)were also used to assess the stability.The results indicated that the combination of Irganox245 and DLTP showed much better stabilization effect than the individual components due to the strong synergistic effect.Only weak synergism could be observed in the formulation that contained Irganox1076 and DLTP.Irganox1076 and Irgnox1076/DLTP exhibited similar behaviors between antioxidants with the highest and lowest efficiencies.