Physical gels and microphase separation in multiblock copolymers

We present computer simulation results of a solution of multiblock copolymers, and show that a network can form under certain conditions. This network formation is due to a bridging effect, which exists for multiblock but not for diblock copolymers. Because of this special property, we suggest that multiblock copolymers may be used quite generally to describe physical gels. Further, we find that separation of block types from each other hinders phase separation of polymers from solvent when the solvent is poor for both block types.