Lessening the Penalty for Creating Block Copolymer Nanostructures
Monday, July 19, 2010 - 16:35
in Physics & Chemistry
How do you make a material that has the elasticity of a rubber band and the thermal insulation of a Styrofoam cup? Connect two distinct polymer chains - poly(isoprene) and poly(styrene) - end to end like a series of children's building blocks. The result is an appropriately named "block copolymer" that boasts the properties of both materials and is commonly used in the tires of automobiles and the soles of athletic shoes.