Synthesis and surface characterization of poly(methyl methacrylate)‐block‐polydimethylsiloxane copolymers from macroazoinitiator

Poly(methyl methyacrylate)‐block‐polydimethylsiloxane (PMMA‐b‐PDMS) copolymers with various compositions were synthesized with PDMS‐containing macroazoinitiator (MAI), which was first prepared by a facile one‐step method in our lab. Results from the characterizations of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), contact angle measurements, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that the copolymer films took on a gradient of composition and more PDMS segments enriched at the film surfaces, which then resulted in the low surface free energy and little microphase separation at the film surfaces. By contrast, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis demonstrated that distinct microphase separation occurred in bulk. Slight crosslinking of the block copolymers led to much steady morphology and more distinct microphase separation, in particularly for copolymers with low content of PDMS. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

Surface microphase separation in PDMS‐b‐PMMA‐b‐PHFBMA triblock copolymer films

Well‐defined poly(dimethylsiloxane)‐block‐poly(methyl methacrylate)‐block‐poly(2,2,3,3,4,4,4‐heptafluorobutyl methacrylate) (PDMS‐b‐PMMA‐b‐PHFBMA) triblock copolymers were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Surface microphase separation in the PDMS‐b‐PMMA‐b‐PHFBMA triblock copolymer films was investigated. The microstructure of the block copolymers was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Surface composition was studied by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The chemical composition at the surface was determined by the surface microphase separation in the PDMS‐b‐PMMA‐b‐PHFBMA triblock copolymer films. The increase of the PHFBMA content could strengthen the microphase separation behavior in the PDMS‐b‐PMMA‐b‐PHFBMA triblock copolymer films and reduce their surface tension. Comparison between the PDMS‐b‐PMMA‐b‐PHFBMA triblock copolymers and the PDMS‐b‐PHFBMA diblock copolymers showed that the introduction of the PMMA segments promote the fluorine segregation onto the surface and decrease the fluorine content in the copolymers with low surface energy. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Preparation,surface wetting properties,and protein adsorption resistance of well‐defined amphiphilic fluorinated diblock copolymers

Novel well‐defined amphiphilic fluorinated diblock copolymers P(PEGMA‐co‐MMA)‐b‐PC₆SMA were synthesized successfully by RAFT polymerization and characterized by FTIR, ¹HNMR and GPC. For copolymer coatings, static contact angles, θ, with water (θ_water ≥ 109.5^°) and n‐hexadecane (θ_hexadecane ≥ 68.9^°) pointed to the simultaneous hydrophobic and lipophobic characteristics of the copolymer surfaces. Dynamic contact angle measurements indirectly demonstrated that copolymer films underwent surface reconstruction upon contact with water, which results in a surface with surface coverage of polar PEG units. Moreover, the distinct nanoscale microphase segregation structures were proved by atomic force microscopy (AFM) images. Finally, using bovine serum albumin (BSA–FITC) as the model protein, copolymers exhibited excellent protein adsorption resistance. It is believed that the combination of surface reorganization and nanometer‐scale microphase segregation structure endows the excellent protein resistance for amphiphilic fluorinated copolymers. These results provide deeper insight of the effect of surface reconstruction and microphase segregation on the protein adsorption behaviors, and these amphiphilic fluoropolymers can expect to have potential applications as antifouling coatings in the field of marine and biomedical. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41167.     

Surface modification of linear low‐density polyethylene film by amphiphilic graft copolymers based on poly(higher α‐olefin)‐graft‐poly(ethylene glycol)

In this article, a series of amphiphilic graft copolymers, namely poly(higher α‐olefin‐co‐para‐methylstyrene)‐graft‐poly(ethylene glycol), and poly(higher α‐olefin‐co‐acrylic acid)‐graft‐poly(ethylene glycol) was used as modifying agent to increase the wettability of the surface of linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) film. The wettability of the surface of LLDPE film could be increased effectively by spin coating of the amphiphilic graft copolymers onto the surface of LLDPE film. The higher the content of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) segments, the lower the water contact angle was. The water contact angle of modified LLDPE films was reduced as low as 25°. However, the adhesion between the amphiphilic graft copolymer and LLDPE film was poor. To solve this problem, the modified LLDPE films coated by the amphiphilic graft copolymers were annealed at 110° for 12 h. During the period of annealing, heating made polymer chain move and rearrange quickly. When the film was cooled down, the alkyl group of higher α‐olefin units and LLDPE began to entangle and crystallize. Driven by crystallization, the PEG segments rearranged and enriched in the interface between the amphiphilic graft copolymer and air. By this surface modification method, the amphiphilic graft copolymer was fixed on the surface of LLDPE film. And the water contact angle was further reduced as low as 14.8°. The experimental results of this article demonstrate the potential pathway to provide an effective and durable anti‐fog LLDPE film. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Microphase separation behavior on the surfaces of poly(dimethylsiloxane)‐block‐poly(2,2,3,3,4,4,4‐heptafluorobutyl methacrylate) diblock copolymer coatings

Microphase separation behavior on the surfaces of poly(dimethylsiloxane)‐block‐poly(2,2,3,3,4,4,4‐heptafluorobutyl methacrylate) (PDMS‐b‐PHFBMA) diblock copolymer coatings was investigated. The PDMS‐b‐PHFBMA diblock copolymers were successfully synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The chemical structure of the copolymers was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Surface composition was studied by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Copolymer microstructure was investigated by atomic force microscopy. The microstructure observations show that well‐organized phase‐separated surfaces consist of hydrophobic domain from PDMS segments and more hydrophobic domain from PHFBMA segments in the copolymers. The increase in the PHFBMA content can strengthen the microphase separation behavior in the PDMS‐b‐PHFBMA diblock copolymers. And the increase in the annealing temperature can also strengthen the microphase separation behavior in the PDMS‐b‐PHFBMA diblock copolymers. Moreover, Flory‐Huggins thermodynamic theory was preliminarily used to explain the microphase separation behavior in the PDMS‐b‐PHFBMA diblock copolymers.© 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Structural and ordering behavior of lamellar polystyrene‐block‐polybutadiene‐block‐polystyrene triblock copolymer containing layered silicates

Nanocomposites based on organically modified montmorillonites (OMMTs) and sodium montmorillonite (CLO‐Na⁺) with poly(styrene‐b‐butadiene‐b‐styrene) (SBS) diblock copolymer have been investigated. Solution blending of OMMT suspension in toluene with SBS and subsequent static casting and annealing resulted in transparent films. Final samples were processed by compression molding. The intercalation spacing in the nanocomposites, microphase separation of the SBS, and the degree of dispersion of nanocomposites were investigated by X‐ray diffraction (Wide and small‐angle X‐ray scattering), transmission optical microscopy (TOM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The increase of basal spacing of OMMT in the nanocomposites suggested the intercalation of SBS. The lamellar structure perfection was extensively affected by both OMMT. AFM images and TOM micrographs only showed well dispersed but not exfoliated nanocomposites. On the other hand, TEM showed inserted tactoids into both blocks depending on the surfactant used (stained samples) and the dispersion of those tactoids (unstained samples). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated only the presence of the OMMT into the SBS. Deviations of the decomposition pathway of pristine SBS with addition of the OMMT were found by thermogravimetric analysis. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

pH and thermo‐responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) copolymer grafted to poly(ethylene glycol)

pH and thermo‐responsive graft copolymers are reported where thermo‐responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) [poly(NIPAAm), poly A ], poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐2‐(diethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) [poly(NIPAAm‐co‐DEA), poly B ], and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐methacrylic acid) [poly(NIPAAm‐co‐MAA), poly C ] have been installed to benzaldehyde grafted polyethylene glycol (PEG) back bone following introducing a pH responsive benzoic‐imine bond. All the prepared graft copolymers for PEG‐g‐poly(NIPAAm) [ P‐N1 ], PEG‐g‐poly(NIPAAm‐co‐DEA) [ P‐N2 ], and PEG‐g‐poly(NIPAAm‐co‐MAA) [ P‐N3 ] were characterized by ¹H‐NMR to assure the successful synthesis of the expected polymers. Molecular weight of all synthesized polymers was evaluated following gel permeation chromatography. The lower critical solution temperature of graft copolymers varied significantly when grafted to benzaldehyde containing PEG and after further functionalization of copolymer based poly(NIPAAm). The contact angle experiment showed the changes in hydrophilic/hydrophobic behavior when the polymers were exposed to different pH and temperature. Particle size measurement investigation by dynamic light scattering was performed to rectify thermo and pH responsiveness of all prepared polymers. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Alkali‐responsive membrane prepared by grafting dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate onto ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer membrane

An alkali‐responsive membrane was prepared by grafting dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) onto ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVAL) membrane using ultraviolet (UV) irradiation graft polymerization. A subtranslucent state of EVAL membrane swelling in the DMAEMA solution was observed, and such a state enabled the passage of UV light through all the pores, inducing graft polymerization inside the pores and on the back. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier‐transform infrared spectrometer (ATR‐FTIR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscope (EDX) confirmed that the poly(DMAEMA)‐grafted chains existed not only on the top surface, but also inside the pores and on the back. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and nitrogen adsorption analysis confirmed that the grafted chains collapsed in air, and decreased the surface roughness, surface area, and pore size of the grafted membranes. Alkali‐responsive properties of the poly(DMAEMA)‐grafted EVAL membrane (i.e., contact angle, permeability, and selectivity) were observed in the pH range of 9–10. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41775.     

Synthesis and hydrophilicity of poly(butylene 2,6‐naphthalate)/poly(ethylene glycol) copolymers

Poly(butylene 2,6‐naphthalate) (PBN)/poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) copolymers were synthesized by the two‐step melt copolymerization process of dimethyl‐2,6‐naphthalenedicarboxylate (2,6‐NDC) with 1,4‐butanediol (BD) and PEG. The copolymers produced had different PEG molecular weights and contents. The structures, thermal properties, and hydrophilicities of these copolymers were studied by ¹H NMR, DSC, TGA, and by contact angle and moisture content measurements. In particular, the intrinsic viscosities of PBN/PEG copolymers increased with increasing PEG molecular weights, but the melting temperatures (T_m)_, the cold crystallization temperatures (T_cc)_, and the heat of fusion (ΔH_f) values of PBN/PEG copolymers decreased on increasing PEG contents or molecular weights. The thermal stabilities of the copolymers were unaffected by PEG content or molecular weight. Hydrophilicities as determined by contact angle and moisture content measurements were found to be significantly increased on increasing PEG contents and molecular weights. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 2677–2683, 2006     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(γ‐methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane)‐grafted silica hybrid nanoparticles prepared by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization

Poly(γ‐methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane) (PMPTS)‐grafted silica hybrid nanoparticles were prepared by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI‐ATRP). The resulting PMPTS‐grafted silica hybrid nanoparticles were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIRS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), static water contact angle (WCA) measurement, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Combined FTIRS, NMR, XPS, SEM, and TGA studies confirmed that these hybrid nanoparticles were successfully prepared by surface‐initiated ATRP. SEM and AFM studies revealed that the surfaces of the nanoparticles were rough at the nanoscale. In addition, the results of the static WCA measurements showed that the nanoparticles are of low surface energy and their surface energy reaches as low as 6.10 mN m^?1. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Fabrication of superhydrophobic fabric coating using microphase‐separated dodecafluoroheptyl‐containing polyacrylate and nanosilica

Superhydrophobic coating was developed on cotton fabric in this article using a dodecafluoroheptyl‐containing polyacrylate (DFPA) and nanosilica. Film morphology of DFPA on cotton fibers/fabrics and chemical compositions of the treated cotton fabric were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. DFPA could form a relatively even film on the cotton fabric/fiber under SEM observation; however, it presented a rough and microphase‐separated pattern under AFM observation. There were many mountain‐like protuberances. The height of the protuberances and the root mean square roughness (R_ms) of the film reached about 20–50 nm and 12.511 nm in 2 × 2‐μm² scanning field (as the scale data was 100 nm). XPS analysis indicated that the perfluoroalkyl groups had the tendency to enrich at the film–air interface. DFPA could make the treated cotton fabric with a water contact angle (WCA) at about 138.5°. Cotton fabric was previously roughened using a 1 wt % silica sol with an average particle size of 20–30 nm and then finished by DFPA; hydrophobicity of the resultant cotton fabric was strongly improved, and WCA could reach 153.6°. The color of this superhydrophobic fabric would not be influenced, but its softness decreased compared to untreated fabric. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Preparation of superhydrophobic silica‐based films by using polyethylene glycol and tetraethoxysilane

Preparation of superhydrophobic silica‐based films via sol‐gel process by adding polyethylene glycol (PEG4000) in the silica sol precursor solution has been developed. The casting films were prepared by casting the above solution on the glass and adding poor solvent on it or not. Surface roughness of the films was obtained by removing polymer from the films at high temperature. Then, the hydrophobic group on the surfaces was obtained by reaction with hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS). Characteristic properties of the as‐prepared surface of the films were analyzed by contact angle measurement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectrophotometer, and X‐ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS). The results showed that the contact angles of the films were varied with the PEG weight fraction of the films, the solvent for the PEG solution, the reaction temperature and time, and adding poor solvent (n‐hexane) or not. However, the surface roughness has been controlled by adjusting the experimental parameters during the early period. The contact angle of the film that prepared by spraying the poor solvent (n‐hexane) onto each coating layer for four times after casting process was greater than 150°. It was difficult to obtain superhydrophobic surface without adding n‐hexane onto any coating layer in this system. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Poly(dimethylsiloxane‐b‐styrene) diblock copolymers prepared by reversible addition–fragmentation chain‐transfer polymerization: Synthesis and characterization

Well‐defined poly(dimethylsiloxane‐b‐styrene) diblock copolymers were prepared by reversible addition–fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Monohydroxyl‐terminated polydimethylsiloxane was modified to form a functional polydimethylsiloxane/macro‐RAFT agent, which was reacted with styrene to form the diblock copolymers. The chemical compositions and structures of the copolymers were characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography. The surface properties and morphology of the copolymers were investigated with static water contact‐angle measurements, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy, which showed a low surface energy and microphase separation surfaces that were composed of hydrophobic domains from polydimethylsiloxane segments. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Poly(hydroxyether of bisphenol A) ‐alt‐polydimethylsiloxane: a novel thermally crosslinkable alternating block copolymer

BACKGROUND: An important strategy for making polymer materials with combined properties is to prepare block copolymers consisting of well‐defined blocks via facile approaches. RESULTS: Poly(hydroxyether of bisphenol A)‐block‐polydimethylsiloxane alternating block copolymers (PH‐alt‐PDMS) were synthesized via Mannich polycondensation involving phenolic hydroxyl‐terminated poly(hydroxyether of bisphenol A), diaminopropyl‐terminated polydimethylsiloxane and formaldehyde. The polymerization was carried out via the formation of benzoxazine ring linkages between poly(hydroxyether of bisphenol A) and polydimethylsiloxane blocks. Differential scanning calorimetry and small‐angle X‐ray scattering show that the alternating block copolymers are microphase‐separated. Compared to poly(hydroxyether of bisphenol A), the copolymers displayed enhanced surface hydrophobicity (dewettability). In addition, subsequent crosslinking can occur upon heating the copolymers to elevated temperatures owing to the existence of benzoxazine linkages in the microdomains of hard segments. CONCLUSION: PH‐alt‐PDMS alternating block copolymers were successfully obtained. The subsequent self‐crosslinking of the PH‐alt‐PDMS alternating block copolymers could lead to these polymer materials having potential applications. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Crystallization behavior of biodegradable amphiphilic poly(ethylene glycol)‐poly(L‐lactide) block copolymers

Poly(ethylene glycol)‐poly(L ‐lactide) diblock and triblock copolymers were prepared by ring‐opening polymerization of L ‐lactide with poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether or with poly(ethylene glycol) in the presence of stannous octoate. Molecular weight, thermal properties, and crystalline structure of block copolymers were analyzed by ¹H‐NMR, FTIR, GPC, DSC, and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD). The composition of the block copolymer was found to be comparable to those of the reactants. Each block of the PEG–PLLA copolymer was phase separated at room temperature, as determined by DSC and WAXD. For the asymmetric block copolymers, the crystallization of one block influenced much the crystalline structure of the other block that was chemically connected to it. Time‐resolved WAXD analyses also showed the crystallization of the PLLA block became retarded due to the presence of the PEG block. According to the biodegradability test using the activated sludge, PEG–PLLA block copolymer degraded much faster than PLLA homopolymers of the same molecular weight. © 1999 John Wiley amp; Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 72: 341–348, 1999     

Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable and charged salen‐based polymers

The goal of this study was to synthesize novel biodegradable charged polymers for medical applications. The polymers synthesized were metal‐coordinated salicylidene‐based copolymers. The linear copolymers were prepared by polycondensation of the metal‐coordinated salicylidene monomer with acyl or aryl dichloride. Structure analysis was carried out by ¹H and ¹³C NMR, FTIR, and elemental analysis. Physicochemical evaluation was carried out using DSC and thermogravimetry. The surface properties were analyzed by contact angle measurements and the crystallinity was determined by polarizing microscopy and AFM. Finally, polymer electrical conductivity and biocompatibility were examined. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 2568–2577, 2006     

Surface modification of LDPE with PE‐PEO graft copolymer

Films of LDPE containing 1–10 wt % of various polymeric additives were prepared by different techniques. Three poly(ethylene‐graft‐ethylene oxide)s synthesized by grafting poly(ethylene‐co‐acrylic acid) with poly(ethylene oxide) monomethyl ether (MPEO), and two pure MPEOs having molecular weights 750 and 2000 were used as additives. The additives were mixed with LDPE both by blending in a common solvent and by melt mixing. The blends were then solvent cast from xylene onto glass Petri dishes or compression molded between glass plates. The film surfaces were studied by water contact angle measurements and by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and melting points and heats of melting were recorded by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The blends had a two‐phase morphology, with enrichment of the graft copolymers at the glass–polymer interface, as shown by contact angle values and XPS spectra. Large differences in the interface accumulation between the different film samples were observed. Films prepared by compression molding of solution‐mixed blends exhibited much lower surface accumulation of graft copolymer at the glass–polymer interface than did the solvent cast or melt‐mixed/compression‐molded samples. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 75: 316–326, 2000     

Synthesis and characterization of ABA type tri‐block copolymers derived from p‐dioxanone,L‐lactide and poly(ethylene glycol)

A series of triblock co‐polymers, consisting of a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) central block joined to two blocks of random p‐dioxanone‐co‐L ‐lactide copolymers were synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization of p‐dioxanone (PDO) and L ‐lactide (LLA) initiated by PEG in the presence of stannous 2‐ethylhexanoate catalyst. The resulting copolymers were characterized by various techniques including ¹H and ¹³C NMR and FTIR spectroscopies, gel permeation chromatography, inherent viscosity, wide‐angle X‐ray diffractometry (WAXD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The conversion of PDO and L ‐lactide into the polymer was studied various mole ratios and at different polymerization temperature from ¹H NMR spectra. Results of WAXD and DSC showed that the crystallinity of PEG macroinitiator was greatly influenced by the composition of PDO and L ‐lactide in the copolymer. The triblock copolymers with low molecular weight were soluble in water at below room temperature. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Investigation on preparation and property of nano‐CaCO3/PP masterbatch modified by reactive monomers

Nano‐CaCO₃/polypropylene (PP) masterbatch containing above 80 wt % nano‐CaCO₃ was prepared by nano‐CaCO₃ coated PP modified by reactive monomers. The chemical interaction, crystallization and melting behavior, thermal stability, morphology, and surface contact angle of masterbatch were investigated with IR, DSC, TEM, TGA, ESCA, and surface contact angle. The results indicated that nano‐CaCO₃ was coated by PP graft copolymers in the masterbatch modified by reactive monomers. The graft ratio and crystallization and melting behavior of PP in the masterbatch depended on the type and content of reactive monomer. The crystallization temperatures of masterbatch modified by reactive monomer is methyl methacrylate > butyl acrylate > methyl acrylate ≈ mixture of acrylic acid and styrene > unmodified ≈ maleic anhydride ≈ acrylic acid > styrene. Modification by reactive monomer increased the thermal stability and surface contact angle of masterbatch. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3907–3914, 2006     

Synthesis and characterization of advance PA6‐b‐PDMS multiblock copolymers

Advance polyamide‐6‐b‐polydimethylsiloxane (PA6‐b‐PDMS) multiblock copolymers were first synthesized via the polymerization in bulk. Binary carboxyl terminated PA6 was served as the hard segment and PDMS modified with hexamethylene diisocyanate (PDMS‐NCO) was the soft segment. A series of PA6‐b‐PDMS copolymers based on different content and length of soft segments were obtained. Interestingly, Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies revealed no obvious change in melting temperature after introducing PDMS segments to copolymers. The high melting temperatures indicated these copolymers possess potential applications in automotive industry that require high continuous use temperatures. DSC and transmission electron microscopy studies both demonstrated increasing the length and the content of the soft segment contributed to increasing of the degree of microphase separation. However, the improvement of thermal stability resulting from PDMS segments was also observed by thermo gravimetric analysis. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41114.