Theoretical study of polymeric mixtures with different sequence statistics. I. Ising class: Linear random copolymers with different statistical sequences and ternary blends of linear random copolymers with homopolymers

We derive a Landau free energy functional for polymeric mixtures containing components with different sequence statistics. We then apply this general field theory to two mixtures that belong to the Ising universality class: mixtures of two different linear random copolymers, and ternary systems of linear random copolymers and two homopolymers. We discuss the instability conditions for the homogeneous state of these mixtures, and calculate the structure factors for different components in the homogeneous state. The structure factors show interesting features which can directly be compared with scattering experiments carried out with selectively deuterated samples. We also work out the eigenmodes representing the least stable concentration fluctuations for these mixtures. The nature of these concentration fluctuations provides information regarding the ordered phases and the kinetic pathways that lead to them. We find various demixing modes for different characteristics of the two mixtures ~e.g., average compositions, statistical correlation lengths, and volume fractions!. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. @S0021-9606~00!50303-1#