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Coarsening and Pinning in the Self-consistent Solution of Polymer Blends Phase-Separation Kinetics

Claudio Castellano·Federico Corberi
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Abstract

We study analytically a continuum model for phase-separation in binary polymer blends based on the Flory-Huggins-De Gennes free energy, by means of the self-consistent large-$n$ limit approach. The model is solved for values of the parameters corresponding to the weak and strong segregation limits. For deep quenches we identify a complex structure of intermediate regimes and crossovers characterized by the existence of a time domain such that phase separation is pinned, followed by a preasymptotic regime which in the scalar case corresponds to surface diffusion. The duration of the pinning is analytically computed and diverges in the strong segregation limit. Eventually a late stage dynamics sets in, described by scaling laws and exponents analogous to those of the corresponding small molecule systems.

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Claudio Castellano, Federico Corberi. 1997-07-25. Coarsening and Pinning in the Self-consistent Solution of Polymer Blends Phase-Separation Kinetics. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreve.57.672

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