Compatibilization of epoxidized triblock copolymer on the generation of self‐assembled nanostructured epoxies and their surface wettability

In this work, we have successfully synthesized epoxidized poly(styrene‐block‐butadiene‐block‐styrene) with the highest epoxidation degree (55 mol%) for the first time by using metachloroperbenzoic acid method. This highly epoxidized styrene‐butadiene‐styrene (eSBS) block copolymer exhibited good compatibility with the epoxy (diglycidylether of bisphenol‐A)/ eSBS block copolymer‐ 4,4′‐diamino diphenyl methane blend. Transmission electron microscope images showed that the eSBS block copolymer formed spherical nanostructure morphology within the blend due to reaction induced phase separation. The addition of eSBS block copolymer in the system significantly improved the wetting parameters such as hydrophilicity, surface free energy, work of adhesion, spreading coefficient and Girifalco‐Good's interaction parameter values, which are discussed in detail. The as‐prepared self‐assembled nanostructured epoxy system will be useful in highly toughened coating applications such as aircraft, automobile, and flooring industries.