Phase separation of weakly incompatible polymer blends confined in isolated droplets

Phase separation of the weakly incompatible blend system polystyrene and polyparamethylstyrene confined in isolated droplets is investigated. The droplet geometry imposes a two-dimensional spatial restriction. With specular, diffuse and grazing incidence small-angle neutron scattering the surface topography as well as the chemical morphology inside the droplets is determined. Due to the differences in surface tension, a core-shell-like structure characterized by one most prominent length scale inside the droplets is installed. (orig.)