Microdomain contraction in microphase-separated multiblock copolymers

Linear multiblock copolymers, like their diblock analogs, undergo microphase separation and order into periodic morphologies when the blocks are sufficiently incompatible. To explore the conformations of such materials, four symmetric poly(styrene-b-isoprene${)}_{\mathit{n}}$ copolymers with 2n (1≤nn along the lamellar normal, thereby confirming theoretical predictions and providing direct evidence for bridging among the 2(n-1) middle blocks.