Comb copolymer brush with chemically different side chains

An investigation of side chain microphase separation within a single comb copolymer molecule containing chemically different A and B side chains has been carried out. Expressions for the transition point chi(AB)* in a good (chi(AB)* similar to N-3/8), marginal (chi(AB)* similar to N-1/2), theta (chi(AB)(*) similar to N-2/3), and poor (chi(AB)* similar to N-1) solvent are derived both by a mean field calculation and by scaling arguments. Properties of the system below and above the transition point are described. Some unusual bowlike conformations are predicted for a single molecule in the microphase separated state in a good solvent.