Miscibility and interactions of polystyrene/polyolefine and polystyrene/poly(n-alkyl methacrylate) mixtures in dilute xylene solutions

The miscibility and intermolecular interactions between polystyrene (PS) and poly(ethylene-co-propylene) (EPC), as well as between PS and long-chain poly(alkyl methacrylates) (PAMA), namely, poly(dodecyl methacrylate) (PDDMA) and poly(octadecyl methacrylate) (PODMA), in dilute xylene solutions at 30 °C were studied. Investigated polymers are widely used as rheology modifiers, i.e. viscosity index improvers and pour point depressants for lubricating mineral oils. The specific and reduced viscosities of two- and three-component polymer solutions as well as intrinsic viscosities and Huggins’ parameter values were determined as functions of the polymer mixture composition and overall polymer concentration. The reduced viscosity was found to be linearly dependent on the overall polymer concentration. The observed viscosities of polymer mixtures were intermediate to those of the mixture constituents; the values decrease in the order: EPC > PS > PAMA. The specific viscosities of all the polymer mixtures obtained as the experimental results and calculated applying the Catsiff-Hewett and Krigbaum-Wall theoretical equations were considered. Since all the polymer/polymer pairs showed the negative viscometric interaction parameter values (Δb₁₂ < 0), the PS/EPC and EPC/PAMA mixtures were found to be immiscible. The observed repulsive molecular interactions originate from the differences in polymer composition and molar masses. This conclusion was supported by calculations employing the group contribution approach of Coleman, Graf and Painter. The calculated values of interaction parameters for (co)polymer blends, Λ₁₂, were 5.47, 6.42 and 13.1 J cm⁻³ for PS/PDDMA, PS/PODMA and PS/EPC, respectively.     

Miscibility and isothermal crystallization of poly(L-lactide) and poly(trimethylene carbonate) blends

Miscibility, isothermal crystallization kinetics, and morphology of poly(L-lactide)/poly(trimethylene carbonate)(PLLA/PTMC) crystalline/amorphous blends were studied by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) and optical microscopy(OM). The heterogeneity of OM images and an unchanged glass transition temperature showed that PLLA was immiscible with PTMC. During isothermal crystallization, the crystallization rate of PLLA improved when the PTMC content was low(≤ 20%). However, when the PTMC content was high(≥ 30%), the crystallization rate decreased significantly. The reason of these nonlinear changes in crystal kinetics was analyzed according to the nucleation and growth process by virtue of a microscope heating stage. The isothermal crystallization morphologies of the blends were also studied by polarized optical microscopy and the results confirmed the conclusions obtained from crystallization kinetics.     

Miscibility of cellulose acetate with vinyl polymers

Binary blend films of cellulose acetate (CA) with flexible syntheticpolymers including poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc), poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP),and poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate) [P(VP-co-VAc)] were preparedfrommixed polymer solutions by solvent evaporation. Thermal analysis by DSC showedthat CA of any degree of substitution (DS) was not miscible with PVAc, but CAwith DS less than 2.8 was miscible with PVP to form homogeneous blends. Thestate of mixing in CA/P(VP-co-VAc) blends was affected not only by the DS of CAbut also by the VP/VAc copolymer composition. As far as CAs of DS<2.8 andP(VP-co-VAc)s with VP contents more than ca. 25 mol% were used,theCA/copolymer blends mostly showed a miscible behaviour irrespective of themixing ratio. FT-IR measurements for the miscible blends of CA/PVP andCA/P(VP-co-VAc) revealed the presence of hydrogen-bonding interactions betweenresidual hydroxyls of CA and carbonyls of N-vinyl pyrrolidone units, which maybe assumed to largely contribute to the good miscibility.     

Miscibility of biodegradable poly(propylene succinate)/poly(propylene adipate) blends: Effect of the transesterification reactions

The miscibility of poly(propylene succinate)/poly(propylene adipate) blends was investigated by means of DSC, WAXS and NMR techniques. Poly(propylene succinate) and poly(propylene adipate) were found to be completely immiscible in as blended-state. The miscibility changes upon extended mixing at elevated temperature: for enough long mixing time, the original two phases gradually merged into a single one because of transesterification reactions. The NMR analysis showed that the transesterifications led to block copolymers whose average sequence length decreased as the mixing time is increased at a fixed temperature. Upon very long mixing time (150 min), all PPS and PPA chains are fully transformed into a random copolymer characterized by a single amorphous phase.     

Miscibility and properties of poly(l-lactic acid)/poly(butylene terephthalate) blends

Binary blends of poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) containing PLLA as major component were prepared by melt mixing. The two polymers are immiscible, but display compatibility, probably due to the establishment of interactions between the functional groups of the two polyesters upon melt mixing. Electron microscopy analysis revealed that in the blends containing up to 20% of poly(butylene terephthalate), PBT particles are finely dispersed within the PLLA matrix, with a good adhesion between the phases. The PLLA/PBT 60/40 blend presents a co-continuous multi-level morphology, where PLLA domains, containing dispersed PBT units, are embedded in a PBT matrix. The varied morphology affects the mechanical properties of the material, as the 60/40 blend displays a largely enhanced resistance to elongation, compared to the blends with lower PBT content.     

Miscibility and Crystallization in Binary Crystalline Blends of Poly(butylene terephthalate) with Poly(butylene terephthalate-e-caprolactone)

Poly(butylene terephthalate)/poly(butylene terephthalate-e-caprolactone) is a new A/AxB1-x binary crystalline blend with intra-molecular repulsion interaction. Using the mean-field binary interaction model, the value of interaction parameter between the butylene terephthalate and caprolactone structural unit was first reported to be 0.305. This blend exhibited different crystallization behavior from a typical homopolymer/copolymer blend, which was carefully investigated by di?erential scanning calorimetry. It was found that poly(butylene terephthalate-e-caprolactone) copolymers have a great effect on the pure poly(butylene terephthalate) chain mobility and poly(butylene terephthalate) crystalline lattice packing. In the meantime, the crystallization of butylene terephthalate segments in copolymers was restricted by the previously formed poly(butylene terephthalate) crystallites. The two constituents for blending can not form a co-crystal in the range of composition even if they have the same butylene terephthalate unit. It can be concluded that longersegments in a copolymer would be beneficial for the formation of a co-crystal in blends.     

动态流变学对PVDF/PTW共混物流体相容性研究

采用熔融共混法制备了聚偏氟乙烯/乙烯-丙烯酸丁酯-甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯共聚物(PVDF/PTW)共混物,利用流变仪考察了PVDF/PTW共混物的相互作用及两者的相容性.观察共混物在200℃下的流变曲线,发现在低频区,共混物中PTW含量越大,共混物的流变曲线越偏离经典流变理论,这个结果与cole-cole图相一致.通过时温叠加原理(时温等效主曲线、Han曲线和v GP曲线)系统研究了不同组成的PVDF/PTW共混体系在均相区和相分离区的黏弹行为.结果表明,在均相区,不同温度下,共混体系的动态模量利用时温叠加原理,通过水平位移就可以很好地叠加在一起,无论是储能模量还是损耗模量,在低频末端均近似地符合经典低频末端标度关系;在相分离区,动态模量偏离了经典的低频末端标度关系,其中储能模量的偏离尤为明显,从而导致了时温叠加原理的"失效",相应的Han图、v GP图也表现出不同于均相体系的特征,这些特征的响应可以用来表征共混体系的相容性,表明在研究的一系列配比(PVDF/PTW 100/0、90/10、70/30、50/50、30/70、10/90、0/100,W/W)中,当PVDF/PTW=90/10(W/W)时,两者的相容性较好.SEM也证实了这个结论.     

Miscibility and compatibilization of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene blends

Poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (PTT/ABS) blends were prepared by melt processing with and without epoxy or styrene-butadiene-maleic anhydride copolymer (SBM) as a reactive compatibilizer. The miscibility and compatibilization of the PTT/ABS blends were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), capillary rheometer and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The existence of two separate composition-dependent glass transition temperatures (T_gs) indicates that PTT is partially miscible with ABS over the entire composition range. In the presence of the compatibilizer, both the cold crystallization and glass transition temperatures of the PTT phase shifted to higher temperatures, indicating their compatibilization effects on the blends.The PTT/ABS blends exhibited typical pseudoplastic flow behavior. The rheological behavior of the epoxy compatibilized PTT/ABS blends showed an epoxy content-dependence. In contrast, when the SBM content was increased from 1 wt% to 5 wt%, the shear viscosities of the PTT/ABS blends increased and exhibited much clearer shear thinning behavior at higher shear rates. The SEM micrographs of the epoxy or SBM compatibilized PTT/ABS blends showed a finer morphology and better adhesion between the phases.     

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.     

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 studies on blends of poly(phenylene oxide)/brominated polystyrene by viscometry

The viscosity behavior of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO), brominated polystyrene (PBrS) and their blends at several compositions (25/75, 50/50, 75/25, 85/15) has been studied. The miscibility of this polymer system was investigated on the basis of the sign of the criteria Δb, α, ΔK, μ, and Δ[η] determined by viscosity. These investigations indicate that PPO/PBrS is miscible at the compositions of (75/25), (85/15) and completely immiscible at the compositions of (25/75), (50/50) in chloroform at 20 °C. Results from viscometry match very well those of DSC results cited in the literature.     

Flame retardancy of poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) by the synergistic interaction between clay and phosphomolybdate hydrates

A combination of montmorillonite (MT) clay and catalysts was used to explore possible synergistic effects in reducing the flammability of poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (SAN). Several catalysts, including ammonium phosphomolybdate hydrate (NHPMo), melamine phosphomolybdate hydrate (MEPMo), zinc phosphomolybdate hydrate (ZnPMo) and sodium phosphomolybdate hydrate (NaPMo), were used. The combination of MT (Cloisite 20A) with NHPMo showed synergistic enhancement in improving the char formation and reducing the peak mass loss rate of SAN40 as compared with SAN40 composites containing MT or NHPMo alone, while similar synergistic performance was not obtained between MT and NaPMo or ZnPMo or MEPMo. The better flame retardancy with this combination is probably due to the two primary aspects. One is the increased catalytic activity of the combination of Cloisite 20A and NHPMo probably due to the overlapping degradation temperature range of the combination of 20A/NHPMo and SAN40, which probably results in more char formation; the other is more NHPMo being around or on the clay stacks while less is in the galleries of the clay; this probably bridges the clay stacks and strengthens the clay network with char formed during the degradation process. High temperature rheological data confirmed the formation of a stronger network structure in SAN40/20/NHPMo; this benefits flame retardancy by allowing fewer cracks to form in the outer char layer on the polymer mass. The more continuous char layer suppresses bubbles transport of fuel vapors and heat transfer through the char layer, thereby reducing the mass loss rate.     

POM/PBSA合金的分子间作用力与相容性及结晶行为研究

采用熔融共混的方法制备了聚甲醛(POM)/丁二酸丁二醇酯-己二酸丁二醇酯共聚物(PBSA)合金.利用FTIR、DMA、DSC、PLM及WAXD研究了POM与PBSA分子间相互作用、相容性及结晶行为.结果表明PBSA的羰基和POM的端羟基之间形成了氢键,这使得PBSA和POM具有一定的相容性,同时使POM的熔融与结晶温度降低;当POM含量为15%时对PBSA起到成核剂的作用,促进了PBSA的结晶,使其晶体结构变得致密.另外,POM与PBSA之间的相容性依赖于PBSA含量,随着PBSA含量的增大,两者的相容性变好,但是PBSA的加入并没有改变POM的晶型.     

Fully biodegradable blends of poly(butylene succinate) and poly(butylene carbonate): Miscibility, thermal properties, crystallization behavior and mechanical properties

Fully biodegradable poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly(butylene carbonate) (PBC) blends were prepared by melt blending. Miscibility, thermal properties, crystallization behavior and mechanical properties of PBS/PBC blends were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), phase contrast optical microscopy (PCOM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and mechanical properties tests. The SEM and PCOM results indicated that PBS was immiscible with PBC. The WAXD results showed that the crystal structures of both PBS and PBC were not changed by blending and the two components crystallized separately in the blends. The isothermal crystallization data showed that the crystallization rate of PBS increased with the increase of PBC content in the blends. The impact strength of PBS was improved significantly by blending with PBC. When the PBC content was 40%, the impact strength of PBS was increased by nearly 9 times.     

Densities,refractive indices,and viscosities of N,N-diethylethanol ammonium chloride–glycerol or –ethylene glycol deep eutectic solvents and their aqueous solutions

In this work, we report new experimental data on density, ρ, refractive index, n_D, and viscosity, η, of two deep eutectic solvents, N,N-diethylethanol ammonium chloride–glycerol (DEACG) and N,N-diethylethanol ammonium chloride–ethylene glycol (DEACEG), and their aqueous solutions, over the complete composition range, at temperatures from (298.15 to 343.15) K. Densities and viscosities were measured using the vibrating tube and the falling ball techniques, respectively, while the refractive index at the sodium D line was measured using an automatic refractometer. We aimed to represent the measured properties as a function of temperature and composition, and correlated them using the Redlich–Kister-type equation, for density, a polynomial function, for refractive index, and the Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann (VFT) equation, for viscosity.     

The miscibility of poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) blends investigated in dilute solutions and solids

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) (polymer A) and poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) (polymer B) are known to form a thermodynamically miscible pair. In the present study the conclusion on miscibility of PVA/PVP solid blends, confirmed qualitatively (DMTA, FTIR) and quantitatively (DSC, χ_AB = − 0.69 at 503 K) is compared with the miscibility investigations of PVA/PVP solution blends by the technique of dilute solution viscometry. The miscibility of the ternary (polymer A/ polymer B/ solvent) system is estimated on the basis of experimental and ideal values of the viscosity parameters k, b and [η]. It is found that the conclusions on miscibility or nonmiscibility drawn from viscosity measurements in dilute solution blends depend: (i) on the applied extrapolation method used for the determination of the viscosity interaction parameters, (ii) on the assumed definition of the ideal values and (iii) on the thermodynamic quality of the solvent, which in the case of PVA depends on its degree of hydrolysis. Hence, viscometric investigations of dilute PVA/PVP solution blends have revealed that viscometry, widely used in the literature for estimation of polymer-polymer miscibility can not be recommended as a sole method to presume the miscibility of a polymer pair.     

Temperature dependent ultrasonic and conductivity studies in aqueous polymeric solution

Sound velocities, viscosity and density of aqueous solution of PEG of average molecular weight of 4000 g/mole have been measured as a function of temperature in the range 308–338 K at different frequencies. Isentropic compressibility, ultrasonic attenuation and acoustic impedance have been derived from the data. From velocity measurements it has been found that velocity changes near melting temperature due to change in the lattice of polymer. Changes in polymer lattice can also be monitored by complex impedance spectroscopy hence, real and imaginary part of the impedance of mixture of PEG with water were measured in the frequency range 40 Hz to 100 kHz in the same temperature range. From these data bulk electrical conductivity has been calculated. The results have been discussed in terms of molecular interaction occuring in the solution.     

Thermal and crystallization characteristics of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/poly(ethylene naphthalate) blends

Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT)/poly(ethylene naphthalate) (PEN) blends were miscible in the amorphous state in all of the blend compositions studied, as evidenced by a single, composition-dependent glass transition temperature (T_g) observed for each blend composition. The variation in the T_g value with the blend composition was well predicted by the Gordon-Taylor equation, with the fitting parameter being 0.57. The cold-crystallization peak temperature decreased with increasing PTT content, while the melt-crystallization peak temperature decreased with increasing amount of the minor component. The subsequent melting behavior after both cold- and melt-crystallization exhibited melting point depression, in which the observed melting temperatures decreased with increasing amount of the minor component. During melt-crystallization, both components in the blends crystallized concurrently just to form their own crystals. The blend with 60% w/w of PTT exhibited the lowest total apparent degree of crystallinity.     

Interactions of Phenylalanine,Tyrosine and Histidine in Aqueous Caffeine Solutions at Different Temperatures

Densities, ρ, viscosities, η, and refractive indices, n_D of aqueous caffeine (0.5 M) and of solutions of amino acids, l‐phenylalanine (Phe), l‐tyrosine (Tyr) and l‐histidine (His), (0.01–0.05 M) in aqueous‐caffeine have been measured at 298.15, 303.15, 308.15 and 313.15 K. From these experimental data, apparent molar volume, ?_v, limiting partial molar volume, ?^º_ν and the slope, S_v, transfer volume, ?^º_ν,tr, Falkenhagen coefficient, A, Jones‐Dole coefficients, B, free energies of activation per mole of solvent, Δμ^o#₁ and per mole of solute, Δμ^o#₂, enthalpy, ΔH^* and entropy, ΔS^* of activation of viscous flow, and molar refraction, R_m were calculated. The results are interpreted from the point of view of solute‐solvent and solute‐solute interactions in these systems. It has been observed that there exist strong solute‐solvent and weak solute‐solute interactions in these systems. Further, the solute‐solvent interactions decrease, whereas solute‐solute interactions increase with rise in temperature. It is observed that these amino acids act as structure‐makers in aqueous‐caffeine solvent. The thermodynamics of viscous flow have also been discussed.