Role of Network Parameters in Elastic Microphase Separation
Microstructured materials have gained significant interest due to their enhanced properties, making them suitable for various applications. One promising approach to achieving these structures is elastic microphase separation (EMPS), a process that utilizes the inherent elasticity of elastomers to prevent the demixing of phase-separating components. In this method, an elastomeric matrix, supersaturated with a liquid, forms microstructures upon cooling, resulting in a thermodynamically defined characteristic length scale. These microstructures have been shown to vary in size depending on the stiffness of the elastomer. However, the stiffness of the elastomer is a macroscopic property influenced by various network parameters, such as molecular weight, crosslink density, crosslinker functionality, and network topology. This study investigates the influence of these network parameters on the morphology of polymerization-induced microscopically phase-separated structures. The results reveal that several samples with similar stiffness but varying network parameters produce distinct morphologies, which also depend on the swelling degree. For samples with a low degree of swelling, the morphology remains consistent, but as the swelling increases beyond a certain threshold, the network parameters begin to significantly affect the phase-separated structures. Understanding the role of these parameters in elastic microphase separation provides valuable insights into controlling the morphology and structural characteristics of elastomeric materials, paving the way for their tailored use in specific applications.