Investigation at the chain segmental level of the miscibility of poly(vinyl chloride)/atactic poly(methyl methacrylate) blends

We employed high‐resolution ¹³C cross‐polarization/magic‐angle‐spinning/dipolar‐decoupling NMR spectroscopy to investigate the miscibility and phase behavior of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) blends. The spin–lattice relaxation times of protons in both the laboratory and rotating frames [T₁(H) and T_1ρ(H), respectively] were indirectly measured through ¹³C resonances. The T₁(H) results indicate that the blends are homogeneous, at least on a scale of 200–300 Å, confirming the miscibility of the system from a differential scanning calorimetry study in terms of the replacement of the glass‐transition‐temperature feature. The single decay and composition‐dependent T_1ρ(H) values for each blend further demonstrate that the spin diffusion among all protons in the blends averages out the whole relaxation process; therefore, the blends are homogeneous on a scale of 18–20 Å. The microcrystallinity of PVC disappears upon blending with PMMA, indicating intimate mixing of the two polymers. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 39: 2390–2396, 2001     

Thermal characterization and solid‐state 13C‐NMR investigation of blends of poly(N‐phenyl‐2‐hydroxytrimethylene amine) and poly(N‐vinyl pyrrolidone)

The miscibility and thermal properties of poly(N‐phenyl‐2‐hydroxytrimethylene amine)/poly(N‐vinyl pyrrolidone) (PHA/PVP) blends were examined by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), high‐resolution solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It was found that PHA is miscible with PVP, as shown by the existence of a single composition‐dependent glass transition temperature (T_g) in the whole composition range. The DSC results, together with the ¹³C crosspolarization (CP)/magic angle spinning (MAS)/high‐power dipolar decoupling (DD) spectra of the blends, revealed that there exist rather strong intermolecular interactions between PHA and PVP. The increase in hydrogen bonding and in T_g of the blends was found to broaden the line width of CH—OH carbon resonance of PHA. The measurement of the relaxation time showed that the PHA/PVP blends are homogeneous at least on the scale of 1–2 nm. The proton spin‐lattice relaxation in both the laboratory frame and the rotating frame were studied as a function of the blend composition, and it was found that blending did not appreciably affect the spectral densities of motion (sub‐T_g relaxation) in the mid‐MHz and mid‐KHz frequency ranges. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that PHA has rather good thermal stability, and the thermal stability of the blend can be further improved with increasing PVP content. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 237–245, 1999     

Characterization of blends of poly(vinyl chloride) and poly(N‐vinyl pyrrolidone) by FTIR and 13C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy

Blends of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) with Poly(N‐vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) were investigated by Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and high‐resolution solid‐state ¹³C cross‐polarization/magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The intermolecular interactions between PVP and PVC are weaker than the self‐association of PVP and the inclusion of the miscible PVC results in the decreased self‐association of PVP chains, which was evidenced by the observation of high‐frequency shift of amide stretching vibration bands of PVP with inclusion of PVC. This result was further substantiated by the study of ¹³C CP/MAS spectra, in which the chemical shift of carbonyl resonance of PVP was observed to shift to a high field with inclusion of PVC, indicating that the magnetic shielding of the carbonyl carbon nucleus is increased. The proton spin‐lattice relaxation time in the laboratory frame (T₁ (H)) and the proton spin‐lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame (T_1ρ(H)) were measured as a function of the blend composition to give the information about phase structure. It is concluded that the PVC and PVP chains are intimately mixed on the scale of 20–30Å. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 2412–2419, 1999     

Phosphonyl/hydroxyl hydrogen bonding–induced miscibility of poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide/sulfone) statistical copolymers with poly(hydroxy ether) (phenoxy resin): Synthesis and characterization

High molecular weight bisphenol A or hydroquinone‐based poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide/sulfone) homopolymer or statistical copolymers were synthesized and characterized by thermal analysis, gel permeation chromatography, and intrinsic viscosity. Miscibility studies of blends of these copolymers with a (bisphenol A)‐epichlorohydrin based poly(hydroxy ether), termed phenoxy resin, were conducted by infrared spectroscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. All of the data are consistent with strong hydrogen bonding between the phosphonyl groups of the copolymers and the pendent hydroxyl groups of the phenoxy resin as the miscibility‐inducing mechanism. Complete miscibility at all blend compositions was achieved with as little as 20 mol % of phosphine oxide units in the bisphenol A poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide/sulfone) copolymer. Single glass transition temperatures (T_g) from about 100 to 200°C were achieved. Replacement of bisphenol A by hydroquinone in the copolymer synthesis did not significantly affect blend miscibilities. Examination of the data within the framework of four existing blend T_g composition equations revealed T_g elevation attributable to phosphonyl/hydroxyl hydrogen bonding interactions. Because of the structural similarities of phenoxy, epoxy, and vinylester resins, the new poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide/sulfone) copolymers should find many applications as impact‐improving and interphase materials in thermoplastics and thermoset composite blend compositions. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 1849–1862, 1999     

Interaction and Scale of Mixing in Cellulose Acetate/Poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-vinyl Pyrrolidone-co-vinyl Acetate) Blends

Binary blends and pseudo complexes of cellulose acetate (CA) with vinyl polymers containing N-vinyl pyrrolidone (VP) units, poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate) [P(VP-co-VAc)], were prepared, respectively, by casting from mixed polymer solutions in N,N-dimethylformamide as good solvent and by spontaneous co-precipitation from solutions in tetrahydrofuran as comparatively poor solvent. The scale of miscibility and intermolecular interaction were examined for the blends and complexes by solid-state ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. It was revealed that the formation of complexes was due to a higher frequency of hydrogen-bonding interactions between the residual hydroxyl groups of CA and the carbonyl groups of VP residues in the vinyl polymer component. From measurements of CP/MAS spectra and proton spin-lattice relaxation times (T_1ρ^H) in the NMR study, the existence of the hydrogen-bonding interaction was also confirmed for the miscible blends and the homogeneity of the mixing was estimated to be substantially on a scale within a few nanometers.     

Solid-state NMR study of biodegradable starch/polycaprolactone blends

Abundant literature exists on starch or modified starch blended with biodegradable polyesters to achieve good performance with cheap compost plastics. The level of miscibility in these blends is one of the most relevant parameters. In the present study, solid-state ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra, as well as carbon spin-lattice relaxation times T₁(C) and proton spin-lattice relaxation times T₁(H) and proton spin-lattice relaxation times in the rotating frame T_1ρ(H) of biodegradable starch (or starch formate)/polycaprolactone (PCL) (or polyester (PE) oligomers) blends and samples of the neat components were measured. From the T_1ρ(H) and T₁(H) relaxation times it follows that blends starch/PCL, starch/PE-oligomers and starch formate/PE-oligomers are phase separated even on the scale of 20-110 nm. On the contrary starch formate/PCL blend is phase separated on the scale 2.5-12 nm but homogeneously mixed on the scale 20-90 nm. Moreover, shorter T₁(C) and especially T_1ρ(H) values found for the starch or starch formate component in all these blends in comparison with neat samples show that molecular mobility of starch and starch formate segments is affected by blending. This indicates some miscibility also in phase separated blends which can happen in amorphous channels of starch.     

Competitive specific interactions in miscible blends of poly(hydroxyether terephthalate ester) and poly(4‐vinyl pyridine)

The miscibility of poly(hydroxyether terephthalate ester) (PHETE) with poly(4‐vinyl pyridine) (P4VP) was established on the basis of thermal analysis. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that each blend displayed a single glass‐transition temperature (T_g), which is intermediate between those of the pure polymers and varies with the composition of blend. The T_g‐composition relationship can be well described with Kwei equation with k = 1 and q = ?30.8 (K), suggesting the presence of the intermolecular specific interactions in the blend system. To investigate the intermolecular specific interactions in the blends, the model compounds such as 1,3‐diphenoxy‐2‐propanol, 4‐methyl pyridine, and ethyl benzoate were used to determine the equilibrium constants, according to Coleman and Painter model, to account for the association equilibriums of several structural moieties, using liquid Fourier transform infrared difference spectroscopy. In terms of the difference in the association equilibrium constant, it is proposed that there are the competitive specific interactions in the blends, which were confirmed by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of the blends. It is observed that upon adding P4VP to the system, the ester carbonyls of PHETE that were H‐bonded with the hydroxyl groups were released because of the formation of the stronger interchain association via the hydrogen bonding between the hydroxyls of PHETE and tertiary nitrogen atoms of P4VP. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1618–1626, 2006     

An intimate polycarbonate/poly(methyl methacrylate)/poly(vinyl acetate) ternary blend via coalescence from their common inclusion compound with γ‐cyclodextrin

In this study, we successfully report an intimate ternary blend system of polycarbonate (PC)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) obtained by the simultaneous coalescence of the three guest polymers from their common γ‐cyclodextrin (γ‐CD) inclusion compound (IC). The thermal transitions and the homogeneity of the coalesced ternary blend were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The observation of a single, common glass transition strongly suggests the presence of a homogeneous amorphous phase in the coalesced ternary polymer blend. This was further substantiated by solid‐state ¹³C NMR observation of the T_1ρ(¹H)s for each of the blend components. For comparison, ternary blends of PC/PMMA/PVAc were also prepared by traditional coprecipitation and solution casting methods. TGA data showed a thermal stability for the coalesced ternary blend that was improved over the coprecipitated blend, which was phase‐segregated. The presence of possible interactions between the three polymer components was investigated by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The analysis indicates that the ternary blend of these polymers achieved by coalescence from their common γ‐CD–IC results in a homogeneous polymer blend, possibly with improved properties, whereas coprecipitation and solution cast methods produced phase separated polymer blends. It was also found that control of the component polymer molar ratios plays a key role in the miscibility of their coalesced ternary blends. Coalescence of two or more normally immiscible polymers from their common CD–ICs appears to be a general method for obtaining well‐mixed, intimate blends. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 4182–4194, 2004     

Solid-state 13C-NMR studies of the aging of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/poly(methyl methacrylate) blends

Solid state ¹³C-NMR was used to investigate the miscibility and subsequent separation of solution-cast blends of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVF₂) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with aging for a range of compositions. It was found that one amorphous phase and intimate mixing of the polymer chains in this phase existed for all compositions of the blends, even after 2 months of aging at room temperature as determined by the proton spin lattice relaxation time T_1ρH in the rotating frame, and the time constant T_CH for transfer of magnetization. The T_1ρH is sensitive to the spatial homogeneity of the blend via spin diffusion and would indicate the presence of phases or domains in the amorphous component of the blend larger than approximately 19 Å. The T_CH is proportional to the inverse sixth power of the interatomic distances needed for transfer of magnetization from proton to carbon and would be sensitive to a separation of polymer chains in the amorphous phase with aging on the order of 4–5 Å. There was an increase of the T_1ρH and T_CH values with aging, indicating that a subtle separation between unlike chains in the amorphous phase was occurring although a single amorphous phase was present.     

Solid‐State NMR Study on Relationships between Miscibility and Chain Mobility in Poly(4‐Methylstyrene)/Poly(Cyclohexyl Methacrylate) Blend

The phase behavior and motional mobility in binary blends of poly(4‐methylstyrene) (P4MS) and poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate) (PCHMA) have been examined by ¹³C solid state NMR techniques. The blend miscibility was studied by measuring the ¹H spin‐relaxation times in the laboratory frame (T₁^H) and in the rotating frame (T_1ρ^H), respectively. Although intermolecular spin diffusion contributes to the proton relaxations in accordance with homogeneity, T_1ρ^H data shows signs of in complete averaging. The T_1ρ^H relaxation behavior indicates the existence of heterogeneous do mains with shortest dimensions in the nanometer range, which is also sup ported by the intermolecular cross polarization experiments with variable contact times. In addition, according to the resuits of carbon T_1ρ relaxation time measurements, it is concluded that mixing is intimate some what enough to cause a reduction in local chain mobility for P4MS and vice versa for PCHMA.     

Transition metal compatibilization of poly(vinylamine) and poly(ethylene imine)

Poly(vinylamine), PVA, complexes with cobalt chloride hexahydrate exhibit a 45 °C enhancement in the glass‐transition temperature per mol % of the d‐block metal cation. Poly(ethylene imine), PEI, complexes with CoCl₂(H₂O)₆ exhibit a 20 °C enhancement in T_g per mol % Co²⁺. Since the basicities of primary and secondary amines are comparable (i.e., pK_b,PVA ≈ 3.34 vs. pK_b,PEI ≈ 3.27) and the rates at which each polymeric ligand displaces waters of hydration in the coordination sphere of Co²⁺ are similar, transition metal compatibilization is operative in blends of both polymers with CoCl₂(H₂O)₆. These two polymers are immiscible in the absence of the inorganic component. Infrared spectroscopy suggests that nitrogen lone pairs in PVA and PEI coordinate to Co²⁺. The stress–strain response of a 75/25 blend of PVA and PEI with 2 mol % Co²⁺ reveals a decrease in elastic modulus from 4.4 × 10⁹ N/m² to 5.7 × 10⁷ N/m², a decrease in fracture stress from 3.7 × 10⁷ N/m² to 2.0 × 10⁶ N/m², and an increase in ultimate strain from 1.3 to 12% relative to the 75/25 immiscible polymer–polymer blend. A plausible explanation for this effect is based on the fact that cobalt chloride hexahydrate compatibilizes both polymers by forming a coordination bridge between nitrogen lone pairs in dissimilar chains. Hence, poly(ethylene imine), which is very weak with a T_g near −40 °C, is integrated into a homogeneous structure with poly(vinylamine) and the mechanical properties of the individual polymers are averaged in the compatibilized ternary complex. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 552–561, 2000     

Miscibility in blends of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and poly(vinylidene chloride-co-acrylonitrile)

Miscibility behavior of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [PHB]/poly(vinylidene chloride-co-acrylonitrile) [P(VDC-AN)] blends have been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and optical microscopy. Each blend showed a single T_g, and a large melting point depression of PHB. All the blends containing more than 40% PHB showed linear spherulitic growth behavior and the growth rate decreased with P(VDC-AN) content. The interaction parameter χ₁₂, obtained from melting point depression analysis, gave the value of −0.267 for the PHB/P(VDC-AN) blends. All results presented in this article lead to the conclusion that PHB/P(VDC-AN) blends are completely miscible in all proportions from a thermodynamic viewpoint. The miscibility in these blends is ascribed to the specific molecular interaction involving the carbonyl groups of PHB. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35: 2645–2652, 1997     

Complete miscibility of ternary aryl polyesters demonstrating a new criterion and horizon for miscibility characterization

A ternary miscible blend system comprising only crystallizable aryl polyesters [poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(trimethylene terephthalate), and poly(butylene terephthalate)] was characterized with the criteria of thermal analyses, microscopy, and X‐ray characterizations. The reported ternary miscibility (in the quenched amorphous state of blends of the three aryl polyesters) was truly physical and under the condition of no chemical transesterifications; this justified that transesterification was not a necessary condition for miscibility in polyester blends in this case. This study further proposed and tested a novel concept of a new criterion for miscibility characterization for polymer blends of only crystallizable polymers. A single composition‐dependent cold‐crystallization‐temperature (T_cc) peak in blends of only semicrystalline polymers was taken as an indication of an intimate mixing state of miscibility. The theoretical background for establishing the single composition‐dependent T_cc peak as a valid miscibility criterion for crystallizable polymer blends was examined. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 2394–2404, 2003     

Comparative studies on miscibility and phase behavior of linear and star poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) blends with poly(vinylidene fluoride)

The comparative studies on the miscibility and phase behavior between the blends of linear and star‐shaped poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) with poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) were carried out in this work. The linear poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) was synthesized by the ring opening polymerization of 2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline in the presence of methyl p‐toluenesulfonate (MeOTs) whereas the star‐shaped poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) was synthesized with octa(3‐iodopropyl) polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane [(IC₃H₆)₈Si₈O₁₂, OipPOSS] as an octafunctional initiator. The polymers with different topological structures were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. It is found that the star‐shaped poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) was miscible with poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), which was evidenced by single glass‐transition temperature behavior and the equilibrium melting‐point depression. Nonetheless, the blends of linear poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) with PVDF were phase‐separated. The difference in miscibility was ascribed to the topological effect of PMOx macromolecules on the miscibility. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 942–952, 2006     

Miscibility and hydrogen‐bonding interactions in blends of carbon dioxide/epoxy propane copolymer with poly(p‐vinylphenol)

The miscibility and hydrogen‐bonding interactions of carbon dioxide and epoxy propane copolymer to poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC)/poly(p‐vinylphenol) (PVPh) blends were investigated with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The single glass‐transition temperature for each composition showed miscibility over the entire composition range. FTIR indicates the presence of strong hydrogen‐bonding interassociation between the hydroxyl groups of PVPh and the oxygen functional groups of PPC as a function of composition and temperature. XPS results testify to intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions between the oxygen atoms of carbon–oxygen single bonds and carbon–oxygen double bonds in carbonate groups of PPC and the hydroxyl groups of PVPh by the shift of C_1s peaks and the evolution of three novel O_1s peaks in the blends, which supports the suggestion from FTIR analyses. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 1957–1964, 2002     

Miscibility of poly(styrene‐co‐butyl acrylate) with poly(ethyl methacrylate): Existence of both UCST and LCST

A miscible homopolymer–copolymer pair viz., poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA)–poly(styrene‐co‐butyl acrylate) (SBA) is reported. The miscibility has been studied using differential scanning calorimetry. While 1 : 1 (w/w) blends with SBA containing 23 and 34 wt % styrene (ST) become miscible only above 225 and 185 °C respectively indicating existence of UCST, those with SBA containing 63 wt % ST is miscible at the lowest mixing temperature (i.e., T_g's) but become immiscible when heated at ca 250 °C indicating the existence of LCST. Miscibility for blends with SBA of still higher ST content could not be determined by this method because of the closeness of the T_g's of the components. The miscibility window at 230 °C refers to the two copolymer compositions of which one with the lower ST content is near the UCST, while the other with the higher ST content is near the LCST. Using these compositions and the mean field theory binary interaction parameters between the monomer residues have been calculated. The values are χ_ST‐BA = 0.087 and χ_EMA‐BA = 0.013 at 230 °C. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 369–375, 2000     

Thermosetting polymer blends of unsaturated polyester resin and poly(ethylene oxide). I. Miscibility and thermal properties

The miscibility and thermal properties of polyethylene oxide(PEO)/oligoester resin (OER) blends and PEO/crosslinked polyester (PER) blends were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The effect of quenching process on the crystallization behavior of PEO for these two systems were investigated and discussed in details. It has been found that a single, composition dependent glass transition temperature (T_g) was observed for all the blends, indicating that the two systems are miscible in the amorphous state at overall compositions. From the melting point depression of PEO, the interaction parameter χ₁₂ for PEO/OER blends and that for PEO/PER blends were found to be −1.29 and −2.01, respectively. The negative values of χ₁₂ confirmed that both PEO/OER blends and PEO/PER blends are miscible in the molten state. Quenching process has a greater hindrance on the crystallization of PEO/OER blends than on that of PEO/PER blends. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 3161–3168, 1997     

Positron annihilation and differential scanning calorimetry studies of polyacrylamide and poly(dimethylacrylamide)/poly(ethylene glycol) blends

Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements were performed for blends of polyacrylamide (PAM) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and blends of poly(dimethylacrylamide) (PDMAM) and PEG. The samples were prepared by codissolution in a concentration range of 0–100 wt % PEG. The thermal behavior, characterized by DSC measurements, showed similar variations of the glass‐transition temperatures (T_g's) with the PEG concentration for the two systems. Pure PAM and PDMAM presented T_g's of 188 and 111 °C, respectively. A relatively small and nearly linearly decreasing T_g was observed for the two systems in the range of 20–80 wt % PEG. PEG crystals were present in all blend compositions, and no melting point depression was observed. The thermal results pointed to the partial miscibility of the blends. The degree of crystallinity of PEG increased with increasing PEG concentration for the PDMAM/PEG systems. The ortho‐positronium lifetime (τ₃) increased with increasing PEG concentration for both blends. However, the parameter of the ortho‐positronium formation probability (I₃) decreased with the PEG concentration. The product τI₃, which was proportional to the total free volume fraction, was approximately constant with the PEG concentration for PDMAM blends and increased with the PEG concentration for PAM systems. This result may be interpreted as a consequence of a more heterogeneous structure in PAM blends. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs of blends with 40 and 80 wt % PEG provided evidence of the regions associated with PEG crystallites. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 1493–1500, 2003     

Molecular modeling simulation and experimental measurements to characterize chitosan and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) blend interactions

Blends of chitosan and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) have a high potential for use in various biomedical applications and in advanced drug‐delivery systems. Recently, the physical and chemical properties of these blends have been extensively characterized. However, the molecular interaction between these two polymers is not fully understood. In this study, the intermolecular interaction between chitosan and PVP was experimentally investigated using ¹³C cross‐polarization magic angle‐spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C CP/MAS NMR) and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). According to these experimental results, the interaction between the polymers takes place through the carbonyl group of PVP and either the OH? C₆, OH? C₃, or NH? C₂ of chitosan. In an attempt to identify the interacting groups of these polymers, molecular modeling simulation was performed. Molecular simulation was able to clarify that the hydrogen atom of OH? C₆ of chitosan was the most favorable site to form hydrogen bonding with the oxygen atom of C?O of PVP, followed by that of OH? C₃, whereas that of NH? C₂ was the weakest proton donor group. The nitrogen atom of PVP was not involved in the intermolecular interaction between these polymers. Furthermore, the interactions between these polymers are higher when PVP concentrations are lower, and interactions decrease with increasing amounts of PVP. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 1258–1264, 2008     

Poly(N-phenyl-2-hydroxytrimethylene amine): Its blends with poly(ϵ-caprolactone) and water-soluble polyethers

A new polymer with pendant hydroxyl groups, namely, poly(N-phenyl-2-hydroxytrime-thylene amine) (PHA), was synthesized by a direct condensation polymerization of aniline and epichlorohydrin in an alkaline medium. The new polymer is amorphous with a glass transition temperature (T_g) of 70°C. Blends of PHA with poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL), as well as with two water-soluble polyethers, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME), were prepared by casting from a common solvent. It was found that all the three blends were miscible and showed a single, composition dependent glass transition temperature (T_g). FTIR studies revealed that PHA can form hydrogen bonds with PCL, PEO, and PVME, which are driving forces for the miscibility of the blends. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.