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     

Miscibility and orientation behavior of poly(vinyl alcohol) / poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) blends

The miscibility of poly(viny1 alcohol)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVA/PVP) blends is investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide-angle x-ray diffraction (WAXD). The molecular orientation induced by uniaxial stretching of the blends is also examined by WAXD and birefringence measurements. It is shown by the DSC thermal analysis that the polymer pair is miscible, since a single glass transition temperature (T_g) is situated between the T_gs of the two homopolymers at every composition. The T_g versus composition curve does not follow a monotonic function but exhibits a cusp point at a PVP volume fraction of a little under 0.7, as in a case predicted by Kovacs' theory. The presence of a specific intermolecular interaction between the two polymers is suggested by an observed systematic depression in the melting point of the PVA component. A negative value of the polymer-polymer interaction parameter, χ₁₂ = 0.35 (at 513 K), is estimated from a thermodynamic approach via a control experiment using samples crystallized isothermally at various temperatures. The extent of optical birefringence (Δn) of the drawn blends decreases drastically with increasing PVP content up to 80 wt %, when compared at a given draw ratio, and ultimately Δn is found to change from positive to negative at a critical PVP concentration of a little over 80 wt %. Discussion of the molecular orientation behavior takes into consideration a birefringence compensation effect in the miscible amorphous phase due to positive and negative contributions of oriented PVA and PVP, respectively.     

Miscibility and crystallinity of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) blends

With the objective of developing new biodegradable materials, the miscibility and the crystallinity of blends of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), P(3HB), and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), P(3HB-co-3HV), have been studied. P(3HB) (300 kg mol⁻¹)/P(3HB-co-3HV)–10% 3HV (340 kg mol⁻¹) blends were prepared by casting in a wide range of proportions, and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The experimental values for the glass transition temperatures (T_g) are in good agreement with the values provided by the Fox equation, showing that the blends are miscible. It was observed that the T_g and the melting temperature (T_m) decreases with the increase in the P(3HB-co-3HV)–10% 3HV content, while the crystallization temperature (T_c) increases. FT-IR analyses confirmed the decrease on the crystallinity of P(3HB)/P(3HB-co-3HV)–10% 3HV blends with higher copolymer contents. Bands related to the crystallinity were changed, due to the copolymer content that produced miscible and less crystalline blends.     

Miscibility in crystalline/amorphous blends of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/DGEBA

A differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) study of miscibility in blends of the semicrystalline polyester poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and amorphous monomer epoxy DGEBA (diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A) was performed. Evidence of the miscibility of PHB/DGEBA in the molten state was found from a DSC study of the dependence of glass transition temperature (T_g) as a function of the blend composition and isothermal crystallization, analyzing the melting point (T_m) as a function of blend composition. A negative value of Flory–Huggins interaction parameter χ_PD was obtained. Furthermore, the lamellar crystallinity in the blend was studied by SAXS as a function of the PHB content. Evidence of the segregation of the amorphous material out of the lamellar structure was obtained. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2013     

Sequence distribution of partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl acetate)

Copolymers of vinyl acetate and vinyl alcohol were studied by differential thermal analysis. The melting points of the copolymers are not a simple function of the composition, but depend on the method of preparation of the copolymers. Partial saponification of poly(vinyl acetate) with sodium hydroxide leads to high melting, ordered copolymers, while reacetylation of poly(vinyl alcohol) leads to low melting, random copolymers. Catalytic alcoholysis of PVAc yields copolymers intermediate in melting point and order. The results are treated by assuming that equal melting points indicate similar sequence length distributions of crystallizable units.     

Fully-biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/poly(vinyl alcohol) blend films with compositional gradient

Fully-biodegradable bacterial poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)/chemosynthetic poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) blend films with compositional gradient from one surface to the other surface of the films were prepared by a dissolution-diffusion technique. Three kinds of PVA samples, high- and low-molecular weight atactic PVA and highly syndiotactic PVA (s-PVA), were used in order to investigate the effects of molecular weight and tactic structure on the generation of compositional gradient. The solution of PHB in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP), which is also a good solvent for PVA, was cast on the PVA film and then the solvent HFIP was evaporated. By selecting the optimum volume of solvent and the evaporation rate, the PHB/PVA blend film with compositional gradient was obtained. The formation of compositional gradient was confirmed by FT-IR microscopy and ATR-FT-IR analysis. The 50%/50% PHB/s-PVA blend film with a nearly ideal compositional gradient, that is, the composition of PHB (or PVA) in the film changing gradually from 100% at one surface to 0% at the other surface of the film was obtained by casting PHB/HFIP solution on to the s-PVA film. Positional dependence of the absorbance of C==O and OH stretching bands along the film thickness direction for the PHB/S-PVA cast films.     

Moving-window two-dimensional correlation infrared spectroscopy study on structural variations of partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl alcohol)

In the present study, the molecular chain changes and structural transitions of partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) having a 12 mol% acetate unit were analyzed by moving-window two-dimensional (MW2D) correlation infrared spectroscopy combined with differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The results show the glass-transition temperature (T _g ) of PVA is clearly distinguished by MW2D correlation infrared spectroscopy, and the acetate groups start to be eliminated around the melting temperature, whereas the free water molecules in PVA are eliminated above T _g. The correlation movements of the O–H stretching modes, including the free hydroxyl groups and the hydrogen bonds, are clearly determined using MW2D correlation infrared spectroscopy. The spectral variations in the C=O stretching region caused by the elimination of the acetate unit from polymer chains are also discussed on the basis of the results of the MW2D correlation analysis. Such results cannot be obtained by traditional infrared spectroscopy owing to the complex overlapping peaks.

New chitin-based polymer hybrids, 1. Miscibility of poly(vinyl alcohol) with chitin derivatives

As a new class of biopolymer-based hybrid materials, the present paper describes the binary blends of a modified chitin and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) which are miscible in the whole range of compositions. The blend films were prepared by the solvent cast method from a homogeneous aqueous solution of PVA and a chitin derivative having poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) side chains. Miscibility between PVA and poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) homopolymer was also revealed. Differential scanning calorimetry and FT-IR analyses were used to investigate the blends.     

Miscibility and ferroelectric behavior in blends of poly(vinylidene fluoride/trifluoroethylene) and poly(vinyl acetate)

The blend system containing a poly(vinylidene fluoride/trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF/TrFE)] copolymer (68/32 mol %) and poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) was miscible from the results of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies that exhibit the presence of a single, composition‐dependent glass transition temperature (T_g) and a strong melting point depression for the semicrystalline P(VDF/TrFE) component. However, differences between the DSC and dielectric measurements, which showed a separate P(VDF/TrFE) T_g peak, suggests that the P(VDF/TrFE)/PVAc blends are actually partially miscible. Because of the lower dielectric constant of PVAc and the reduced sample crystallinity caused by the addition of PVAc, both the dielectric constant and the remanent polarization of the copolymer blends decrease with increasing PVAc content. The presence of a small amount of PVAc stabilized the anomalous ferroelectric behavior of ice–water‐quenched P(VDF/TrFE), and the blend portrayed normal polarization reversal behavior after adding only 1 wt % PVAc. The piezoelectric response suggests small changes with an increasing number of poling cycles. It is believed that PVAc affects the D‐E hysteresis behavior at the interface between crystalline and amorphous phases, although much work remains to be done to confirm this hypothesis. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 927–935, 2003     

Miscibility and deformation behavior in some thermoplastic polymer blends containing poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile)

Miscibility in blends of poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (PSAN) with several other polymeric components has been investigated over a range of compositions by means of thermal analysis and transmission electron microscopy. Systems in vestigated were (i) PSAN/polycarbonate (PC), (ii) PSAN/styrene-maleic anhydride-methyl methacrylate terpolymer (S/MA/MM), (iii) PSAN/polynorbornene nitrile (PNN), and (iv) PSAN//S/MA/MM//PC. PSAN/PC was demonstrated to be partially miscible in all proportions over the PSAN copolymer composition range 23–70 wt % AN, while the miscibility or lack thereof of PSAN//S/MA/MM depended on the relative AN and MA contents of the PSAN and S/MA/MM, respectively. In contrast, PSAN/PNN was found to be immiscible in all proporations, while the system PSAN//S/MA/MM//PC was shown to be partially miscible. Deformation studies performed on rubber-modified versions of these blends defined deformation mode and microstructural deformation behavior. Dual extensometer tensile testing yielded relative contributions of crazing and of plastic flow, which correlated both with blend composition and with toughness. TEM observations of deformed specimens indicated a deformation process in the multiphase matrix blends consisting of craze initiation and propagation in the rubber-containing phase, craze arresting in the ductile second matrix phase, and coordinated extensive deformation of the matrix phases and of the rubber particles, where the ability to support the latter coordinated forms of deformation were observed to increase with increasing proportion of plastically deforming phase.     

Cosolvent gel-like materials from partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl acetate)s and borax

A gel-like, high-viscosity polymeric dispersion (HVPD) based on cross-linked borate, partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl acetate) (xPVAc, where x is the percent hydrolysis) is described. Unlike hydro-HVPDs prepared from poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and borate, the liquid portion of these materials can be composed of up to 75% of an organic cosolvent because of the influence of residual acetate groups on the polymer backbone. The effects of the degree of hydrolysis, molecular weight, polymer and cross-linker concentrations, and type and amount of organic cosolvent on the rheological and structural properties of the materials are investigated. The stability of the systems is explored through rheological and melting-range studies. (11)B NMR and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) are used to probe the structure of the dispersions. The addition of an organic liquid to the xPVAc-borate HVPDs results in a drastic increase in the number of cross-linked borate species as well as the agglomeration of the polymer into bundles. These effects result in an increase in the relaxation time and thermal stability of the networks. The ability to make xPVAc-borate HVPDs with very large amounts of and rather different organic liquids, with very different rheological properties that can be controlled easily, opens new possibilities for applications of PVAc-based dispersions.     

Miscible blends containing a crystallizable component: poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(ethyleneimine)

Blends of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVAI) with poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) were prepared by casting from a common solvent. All blends show a single, composition dependent glass transition temperature (T_g), indicating that the blends are miscible in the amorphous state and in the melt. The overall crystallization rate of PVAI in the blend decreases with increasing PEI content. The crystallinity index of PVAI in the blend does not decrease greatly with PEI content up to a composition of 70/30 PVAI/PEI, since the T_g of the crystallizable component PVAI is larger than that of the non-crystallizable component PEI. The T_g of the system PVAI/PEI decreases with increasing PEI content. The interaction parameter B of the two polymers in the melt was found to be −24 J/cm³.     

Miscibility and thermal stability of poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan mixtures

The miscibility and the thermal behaviour of chitosan acetate (ChA) with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) have been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Chitosan is blended with poly(vinyl alcohol) in acetic acid solution and this solution is cast to prepare the blend film. From thermal curves the thermal transitions: T_g, T_m and characteristic temperatures of decomposition: T_di, T_max have been determined and compared. The influence of the degree of PVA hydrolysis on the thermal properties of blend systems has been discussed.Based upon the observation on the DSC analysis, the melting point of PVA is decreased when the amount of ChA in the blend film is increased. Though some broadening of the transition curves could be noticed (DSC, TGA and DMA), the obtained results suggest that in the solid ChA/PVA blends the components are poorly miscible. Only PVA sample with relatively low DH = 88% and hence low degree of crystallinity shows partial miscibility with ChA of relatively low molecular weight.     

Structure and prolonged transport in a biodegradable poly(R-3-hydroxybutyrate)-drug system

In order to create new biodegradable systems for the targeted transport of drugs, poly(3-hydroxy-butyrate) films containing the antibiotic rifampicin in an amount of 5–15 wt % as a model drug are prepared. Film surfaces are studied via scanning electron microscopy, and various structural elements (globules and fibrils) are found. Polymer samples isolated from melt or solution feature different degrees of porosity. It is shown that the kinetic profiles of rifampicin release are of an abnormal character. An analysis of the profiles shows that the release of rifampicin is controlled by the superposition of two processes: its desorption via the diffusion mechanism (the nonlinear segment) and hydrolytic degradation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (the extended linear segment), which becomes well defined after completion of the diffusion stage. The diffusionkinetic model of the process is developed.     

Miscibility and specific interactions in polyacrylonitrile/ poly(p‐vinylphenol) blends

A rare miscible polyacrylonitrile (PAN) blend system is reported. PAN is miscible with poly(p‐vinylphenol) (PVPh) as shown by thermal and spectroscopic studies. A single glass transition temperature was found in each blend. Infrared spectroscopic studies showed that the hydroxyl band of PVPh and the cyano band of PAN shifted to lower frequencies upon blending, showing the existence of specific interactions between the two polymers. The involvement of cyano groups in specific interactions was further evidenced by the development of a high‐binding‐energy N1s peak in each blend from X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies.     

Miscibility,morphology and fracture toughness of epoxy resin/poly(vinyl acetate) blends

Diglycidylether of bisphenol A (DGEBA)/poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) blends cured with 4,4-diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) were prepared. The miscibility and phase behavior were investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The study results indicate that the epoxy precursor (DGEBA)/PVAc blends are clearly miscible at the entire composition and theTg values experimentally obtained are in a good agreement with those predicted by Fox equation. Cured at elevated temperature, all the DDM-cured blends underwent phase separation and display two-phase morphology. When PVAc content is more than 10 wt%, the thermoplastics-modified resins began to show a co-continuous phase structure. It is the cocontinuous structure that leads to a significantly-improved toughness inK _ic. Morphologic investigation of the surfaces of fracture mechanic measurement specimens indicates that the toughening effect of the thermoplastics-modified epoxy resins may arise mainly from the ductile yielding of PVAc.     

Crystallization behaviors and morphology of biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate)

Crystallization behaviors and spherulitic morphology of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB-co-4HB)] with different 4-hydroxybutyrate (4HB) molar fraction were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and polarized optical microscopy. Crystallization behaviors of P(3HB-co-4HB) are significantly affected by 4HB molar fraction. The melting temperature (T _m), glass transition temperature (T _g), and crystallinity (X _c) decrease with the increase of 4HB molar fraction. Banded spherulites are observed in poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and P(3HB-co-4HB) copolymers. The band spacing decreases with the increase of 4HB molar fraction. The morphology and growth rate of the spherulites strongly depend on 4HB molar fraction and the crystallization temperatures. The introduction of 4HB unit can inhibit the emergence of cracks in PHB spherulites.     

Thermal lensing in poly(vinyl alcohol)/polyaniline blends

Nonlinear optical properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/polyaniline (PAni) blends were measured with the single‐beam Z‐scan technique with Fourier analysis. The results obtained with continuous wave (cw) excitation indicated that the self‐phase modulation had a thermal origin. Besides the Z‐scan technique, we also employed the time‐resolved mode‐mismatched thermal lens (TL) technique to obtain the temperature coefficient of the optical path length, ds/dT, and the thermal diffusivity coefficient, D, for the specific concentrations used in our blends. ds/dT varied between ?0.8 and ?1.0 × 10^?4 K^?1, whereas the thermal diffusivity varied between 1.0 and 1.3 × 10^?3 cm²/s. The TL technique was further used to study the aging of the blends as they were heated to 90 °C. Unlike the electrical conductivity of PAni films, which presented a strong dependence on the doping level, the thermooptic properties presented only a slight variation with doping. This feature indicated that the PVA/glutaraldehyde network made the main contribution to the thermooptic properties (D and ds/dT) in the PAni blends. Similarly, dimethyl sulfoxide as a solvent determined the thermooptic properties of PAni solutions. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 1949–1956, 2002     

Miscibility and isothermal crystallization behavior of polyamide 6/poly(vinyl alcohol) blend

An investigation of miscibility and isothermal crystallization behavior of Polyamide 6 (PA6)/Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) blends was conducted. Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) analysis indicated that the interactions between the carbonyl groups of PA6 and hydroxyl groups of PVA increase as the weight ratios of PA6 to PVA of PA6/PVA specimens increase. This interaction between PA6 and PVA leads to their miscibility in the amorphous region and even some extent effects on their crystal phase, respectively. Further isothermal crystallization behavior of PA6/PVA indicate that the miscibility of PVA in PA6 leading difficulty in crystallization of PA6. Several kinetics equations are employed to describe the effects of PVA on the crystallization properties of PA6 in PA6/PVA blends in detail. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 1360–1368, 2008