| Abstract: | Miscibility of blends consisting of poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) and poly(styreneco-2-vinylnaphthalene) [P(S-co-2VN)] was investigated by means of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and thermal analysis. Copolymers containing 21, 51, and 84 wt % of styrene were synthesized by radical polymerization. Based on optical clarity and glass transition temperatures, it was shown that the miscibility in P(S-co-2VN)/PVME blends is largely affected by compositions of the copolymers as well as concentrations of the blend. From the FT-IR results, the relative intensity at 1100 cm?1 peak of COCH3 band of PVME and the position of naphthyl ring of 2VN were sensitive to the miscibility of the blends. It was observed that blends of PVME with P(S-co-2VN) of 84 wt % styrene or P(S-co-2VN) of 51 wt % styrene are miscible over the entire concentration ranges of the blends. Blends of PVME with P(S-co-2VN) containing 21 wt % of styrene are immiscible below 65 wt % PVME. In the miscible P(S-co-2VN)/PVME blends, there was observed a large shift in the naphthyl frequency at a characteristic wavelength of 748 cm?1. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. |
