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Diblock copolymers are interesting objects of research, because they can combine different material properties in one molecule. All kinds of tailor-made new materials can be constructed if the physics of these types of molecules is understood.
On of the aspects of diblock copolymers is their tendency to separate on the microscale. If both diblocks differ enough in structure or polarity, microphase separation into micelles, tubes or lamellae can occur. If shear is applied, lamellae formation is favoured and experiments show three different orientations of the lamellae: the perpendicular, the transverse and the parallel state. We are developing and using mesoscale computer simulation methods to gain insight in the physics that cause the different lamellar states.
At the moment simulations are being performed with pair friction langevin dynamics and initial results show that perpendicular and lamellar orientation seem to be stable under different circumstances, in agreement with experiment.