σ Phase Formed in Conformationally Asymmetric AB-Type Block Copolymers

The stability of various spherical phases formed in conformationally asymmetric AB diblock and architecture asymmetric AB_m miktoarm block copolymers is investigated using self-consistent field theory. Both the conformational and architecture asymmetries are unified into a parameter of conformationally asymmetric degree, ε. We find that a complex spherical phase, the σ phase, becomes stable and its phase region expands between bcc and hexagonal …