Recent advances on the structure–properties relationship of multiblock copolymers

Abstract

Multiblock copolymers represent a fascinating class of materials that sits at the very heart of industrial applications and fundamental polymer science. They are most often made of a linear succession of incompatible “soft” and “hard” segments that microphase separate at room temperature while they can be easily re-homogenized upon heating. This thermoreversible character provides them with decisive advantages with respect to other rubber-based materials such as vulcanized elastomers, making them indispensable for the development of a more sustainable polymer industry. Beyond practical opportunities, tailoring the multiblock copolymers morphology has a pivotal role to play in the fundamental understanding of the structure–properties relationship of polymer-based systems. It notably serves to comprehend complex materials such as semicrystalline homopolymers and nanocomposites. Aside from the thorough work developed on well-defined diblock copolymers for half a century, this article review aims to guide the reader into the more intricate world of multiblock copolymers by providing him/her quantitative tools to connect chemical nature, microstructure and mechanical properties.