Communication: Molecular-level description of constrained chain topologies inmultiblock copolymer gel networks

Network characteristics in physical gels composed of solvated block copolymers varying inmolecular design are examined here by dynamic rheology and computer simulations. In twotriblock copolymer series, one with chain length (N) varied at constant copolymercomposition (f) and the other with f varied at constant N, we discern the dependence ofequilibrium network metrics on both N and f. Increasing the block number in a linearmultiblock series at constant N and f escalates conformational complexity, which dominatesnetwork connectivity classified according to a midblock conformation index.