Phase behaviors of sphere-forming triblock copolymers confined in nanopores: A dynamic density functional theory study

We have studied the phase behaviors of sphere-forming triblock copolymers in confined spaces using the mean-field dynamic density functional theory. The focus is on the morphologies induced by cylindrical nanopores. The effects of the pore diameter and the surface field strength on the phase behaviors are investigated systematically. Typical structures different from the bulk morphologies are observed, which are consistent with available experiments. A series of novel morphologies are predicted in our simulation. Furthermore, the shape effect of the pore cross section on the helical structures is studied. The results of our simulation should provide a guide for designing polymeric nanomaterials confined in cylindrical nanochannels.