@article{stevens_thongruang_patel_smith_spontak_2003, title={Solvent-facilitated homopolymer sorption in swollen block copolymer matrices}, volume={36}, ISSN={["1520-5835"]}, DOI={10.1021/ma0215868}, abstractNote={Homopolymer sorption in microphase-ordered block copolymers can provide insight into the factors governing transport of chain molecules in dense nanostructured environments, as well as yield novel nonequilibrium materials. Here, we examine the sorption of homopolymer B (hB) in ABA triblock copolymers swollen in a B-selective solvent. Gravimetric analysis reveals that the solubility of hB (ShB) varies linearly with solution concentration (C) and that (∂ShB/∂C)T depends on the molecular weight of the B midblock (MB). These data also show that the effective diffusion coefficient of hB is ∼10-8 cm2/s, independent of MB.}, number={9}, journal={MACROMOLECULES}, author={Stevens, JE and Thongruang, W and Patel, NP and Smith, SD and Spontak, RJ}, year={2003}, month={May}, pages={3206–3209} }
 @article{roberge_patel_white_thongruang_smith_spontak_2002, title={Block copolymer/homopolymer mesoblends: Preparation and characterization}, volume={35}, ISSN={["1520-5835"]}, DOI={10.1021/ma0115747}, abstractNote={Miscible block copolymer/homopolymer blends are typically prepared from homogeneous solutions in a nonselective solvent. During solvent removal and subsequent annealing, the molecular species comprising such blends organize in such fashion as to lower the system free energy and ideally attain thermodynamic equilibrium. In this work, we investigate nonequilibrium triblock copolymer/homopolymer (ABA/hB) blends generated by diffusing hB molecules from a hB-selective solvent into a lamellar ABA copolymer. Since the copolymer is already microphase-ordered during homopolymer incorporation, we refer to such blends as mesoblends. The mass uptake of hB is found to be strongly dependent on homopolymer molecular weight (MhB), with the maximum solubility scaling as MhB-1. An induction period that scales as MhB1/2 is also observed. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that the morphology of these mesoblends appears to be perforated lamellar, which, in some cases, transforms to cylindrical upon annealing. Dynamic m...}, number={6}, journal={MACROMOLECULES}, author={Roberge, RL and Patel, NP and White, SA and Thongruang, W and Smith, SD and Spontak, RJ}, year={2002}, month={Mar}, pages={2268–2276} }
 @article{thongruang_spontak_balik_2002, title={Bridged double percolation in conductive polymer composites: an electrical conductivity, morphology and mechanical property study}, volume={43}, ISSN={["0032-3861"]}, DOI={10.1016/S0032-3861(02)00180-5}, abstractNote={Conductive polymer composites are ubiquitous in technological applications and constitute an ongoing topic of tremendous commercial interest. Strategies developed to improve the level of electrical conductivity achieved at a given filler concentration have relied on double-percolated networks induced by immiscible polymer blends, as well as mixtures of fillers in a single polymer matrix, to enhance interparticle connectivity. In this work, we combine these two strategies by examining quaternary composites consisting of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), graphite (G) and carbon fiber (CF). On the basis of our previous findings, we examine the electrical conductivity, morphology, thermal signature and mechanical properties of HDPE/UHMWPE/G systems that show evidence of double percolation. Upon addition of CF, tremendous increases in conductivity are realized. The mechanism by which this increase occurs is termed bridged double percolation to reflect the role of CF in spanning non-conductive regions and enhancing the continuity of conductive pathways. At CF concentrations above the percolation threshold concentration, addition of G promotes increases in conductivity and dynamic storage modulus in which the conductivity increases exponentially with increasing modulus.}, number={13}, journal={POLYMER}, author={Thongruang, W and Spontak, RJ and Balik, CM}, year={2002}, month={Jun}, pages={3717–3725} }
 @article{thongruang_spontak_balik_2002, title={Correlated electrical conductivity and mechanical property analysis of high-density polyethylene filled with graphite and carbon fiber}, volume={43}, ISSN={["0032-3861"]}, DOI={10.1016/S0032-3861(02)00043-5}, abstractNote={The development of conductive polymer composites remains an important endeavor in light of growing energy concerns. In the present work, graphite (G), carbon fiber (CF) and G/CF mixtures are added to high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to discern if mixed fillers afford appreciable advantages over single fillers. The effects of filler type and composition on electrical conductivity, composite morphology and mechanical properties have been examined and correlated to establish structure–property relationships. The threshold loading levels required for G and CF to achieve measurable conductivity in HDPE have been identified. Addition of CF to HDPE/G composites is found to increase the conductivity relative to that of HDPE/G composites at the same filler concentration. This observed increase depends on CF length and becomes more pronounced at and beyond the threshold loading of the HDPE/G composite. Scanning electron microscopy is employed to elucidate the morphology of these multicomponent composites, whereas dynamic mechanical analysis reveals that filler concentration, composition and CF length impact both the magnitude and temperature dependence of the dynamic storage modulus.}, number={8}, journal={POLYMER}, author={Thongruang, W and Spontak, RJ and Balik, CM}, year={2002}, month={Apr}, pages={2279–2286} }
 @article{thongruang_balik_spontak_2002, title={Volume-exclusion effects in polyethylene blends filled with carbon black, graphite, or carbon fiber}, volume={40}, ISSN={["0887-6266"]}, DOI={10.1002/polb.10157}, abstractNote={Abstract}, number={10}, journal={JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE PART B-POLYMER PHYSICS}, author={Thongruang, W and Balik, CM and Spontak, RJ}, year={2002}, month={May}, pages={1013–1025} }