Liquid-liquid equilibria of polyrotaxane and poly(vinyl alcohol)

Liquid–liquid equillibria (LLE) of the tertiary system of hydroxypropylated polyrotaxane (HPPR)–poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)–solvent have been investigated by focusing on the internal structures of HPPR–PVA blend gels. The phase diagrams of the HPPR–PVA aqueous systems displayed two liquid phases at a high concentration and molecular weight of PVA. This result was consistent with the prediction of the Flory–Huggins lattice model. On the contrary, the HPPR–PVA–DMSO system exhibited only a single phase. The HPPR–PVA blend gels crosslinked in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) were highly transparent over a wide concentration range, while the gels prepared in water were opaque at high polymer concentrations. Spherical domains were observed in the opaque gels by laser scanning confocal microscopy, and the sizes of the domains were significantly dependent on the amount of cross-linking reagent utilized. These results indicated that the transparency of the HPPR–PVA blend gels was strongly affected by the competition between the liquid–liquid two-phase separation and the crosslinking HPPR and PVA polymers during the preparation of the blend gels.     

聚丙烯-聚乙烯嵌段共聚物的分子结构及性能的研究

本工作用核磁共振(~(13)C-NMR)、示差扫描量热(DSC)、动态力学分析(DMA)和扫描电子显微镜(SEM)等技术研究了将丙烯、乙烯单体两步分段共聚、预期为聚丙烯-聚乙烯嵌段共聚物的合成物(简称为聚丙烯-聚乙烯嵌段共聚物或嵌段共聚物)。结果表明,在嵌段共聚物中含有一定量的、能为正庚烷抽提出来的乙丙无规共聚物(EPR);分段共聚的产物并非预想的PP-b-PE两嵌段共聚物,而是含有多种组分的共混物;形态表征的结果表明了嵌段共聚物为多相体系,EPR和PE形成分散相以球形无规分布于PP基体中。     

About the cure kinetics in natural rubber/styrene Butadiene rubber blends at 433 K

Vulcanized blends of elastomers are employed in several goods mainly to improve physical properties and reduce costs. One of the most used blends of this kind is that composed by natural rubber (NR) and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR). The cure kinetic of these blends depends mainly on the compound formulation and the cure temperature and time. The preparation method of the blends can influence the mechanical properties of the vulcanized compounds.     

Small Molecule: Polymer Blends for N-type Organic Thin Film Transistors via Bar-coating in Air

Fabricating n-type organic thin film transistors(OTFTs)based on small molecules via solution processing under atmospheric conditions remains challenging.Blending small molecules with polymer is an effective strategy to improve the solution processibility and air stability of the resulted devices.In this study,polystyrene was chosen to blend with n-type small molecule DPP1012-4F to enhance the continuity of the semiconductor layer and maintain a favorable edge-on stacking of semiconductors.The introduction of high-boiling point 1-chloronaphthalene as a solvent additive in the blending system can reduce the grain boundary defects in the microscopic morphology.These changes in aggregation behavior are confirmed by X-ray diffraction,atomic force microscopy and polarized optical microscopy analyses.Via bar-coating of the semiconductor layers in air,the electron mobility of the resulted OTFTs under the optimal condition is 0.73 cm2·V–1·s–1,which is amongst the highest n-type small molecule-based OTFTs with active layers prepared in air up to now.These results show a great potential of the blending strategy in industrial roll-to-roll manufacture of high-mobility n-type OTFTs.     

Study of morphological hysteresis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">partially immiscible</Emphasis> polymers

The morphology evolution of two systems of partially immiscible polymers, differing in miscibility, is investigated by means of rheological experiments and optical microscopy. For each system, two concentrations, 10% and 20%, are used. For immiscible systems, a hysteresis zone, defined by coalescence and breakup, exists where the average drop radius is not a unique function of the shear rate. We investigate whether the findings also apply to partially immiscible polymers. The average radii at different shear rates, measured with rheology, are compared to model predictions. The hysteresis zone, if present, is indeed affected by the polymeric system, the concentration and the flow history applied. Coalescence evolution is measured for three different step-downs in shear rate. For both 10% systems, the resulting average radii show a rather high scattering and do not match the theoretical predictions. For the 20% concentrations, the average experimental drop sizes seem independent of the magnitude of the step-down, at least during a certain period of time. Thereafter, it experiences a sudden, in the time scale of the experiments unbounded, increase in size that is more pronounced for the higher step-downs. Deviations of the experimental data from theoretical predictions are attributed to the partially immiscible character of the systems, yielding enhanced coalescence which, in turn, can induce confinement effects.     

The compatibility and morphology of chitosan-poly (ethylene oxide) blends

Thermal behavior and morphology of blends prepared by solution casting of mixtures of chitosan and poly(ethylene oxide) were studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The preliminary results indicate that both melting point and crystallinity depend on the composition of the blends, and that they exhibit minimum values when the blend contains 50% chitosan. From the prediction of melting point depression analysis, the compatibility of the blends shows a transition at this specific composition. This conclusion was further confirmed by observation of the morphology.     

Polymeric Nitrofuran Derivatives. II. Chemical Modification of Functionalized Resins with Nitrofuran Derivatives

Polymeric nitrofuran derivatives have been synthesized by chemical modification of macroporous styrene-divinylbenzene copolymers with low molecular weight nitrofurans. The 5-nitrofuryl groups are covalently attached to the polymeric carrier by azomethine, ester, N-alkyl, and sulfamide links, respectively. Comparative hydrolysis studies and biological tests of the modified resins suggested that the polymeric carrier-bound nitrofurans are antimicrobially active. The polymeric nitrofurans have been characterized by IR and “C-solid-NMR spectroscopy”.     

Ring-opening copolymerization of epoxy-terminated polystyrene macromer with epichlorohydrin and study on properties of the copolymers

The synthesis and ring-opening copolymerization of epoxy-terminated polystyrene (PS-ep) macromer with epichlorohydrin (ECH) as well as some properties of the graft copolymers, were studied. The results showed that content of the epoxy-terminated macromer in the crude macromer can be increased by anionic polymerization of styrene in cyclohexane, and capping with propylene sulfide, followed by termination with ECH at 0 °C. The ring-opening copolymerization of ECH with the macromer can be performed by using a quaternary catalyst system which was composed of triisobutyl aluminium-phosphoric acid-water-amine in the molar ratio of 1:0.25:0.25:0.1-0.15. When the charging weight percentage of PS-ep/ECH=25-65% and M_n of PS-ep was 2.6-10×10³, the conversion of ECH was greater than 95% and the conversion of the macromer or grafting efficiency was 35-65%. The purified copolymer was characterized by IR, ¹H NMR and dynamic viscoelastometer to be a copolymer of ECH with polystyrene (PS) grafts. Transmission electron microscope showed the existence of PS domains in the continuous phase of polyepichlorohydrin (PECH). In a certain range of compositions the graft copolymer behaves like a thermoplastic elastomer. The graft copolymer can be melted and processed repeatedly. Its oil and solvent resistance were better than PS and similar to PECH rubber. The graft copolymer can be used as a compatibilizer for blending PECH with PS to form thermoplastic elastomer blends. Only 2% of it based on the blend is needed to raise the tensile strength of the blends obviously.     

Effect of P(MMA-co-MAA) compatibilizer on the miscibility of nylon 6/PVDF blends

With the ultimate objective of enhancing the impact strength and weatherability of nylon 6 engineering plastic, blending with poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) was studied. In the absence of a compatibilizer the two polymers phase separate, resulting in a deterioration of the properties. Since poly(methyl methacrylate) is known to be miscible with PVDF, we evaluated poly(methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) (P(MMA-co-MAA)) of low methacrylic acid content as the compatibilizer. The carboxylic acid groups in the MAA units were expected to react with the end amino groups of nylon 6 forming block or graft copolymers, P(MMA-co-MAA)-g-nylon 6, in situ, which will function as the actual compatibilizer. The amount of P(MMA-co-MAA) added, the MMA/MAA composition and heat treatment time were varied to study their effects on the miscibility, morphology, and mechanical properties of nylon 6/PVDF blends. The enhancement of the compatibility of nylon 6 and PVDF by addition of P(MMA-co-MAA) and the partial miscibility of nylon 6 and PVDF has been confirmed through DSC, dynamic mechanical testing, SEM of fracture surfaces, and tensile testing. The decrease in the crystallization temperatures on addition of compatibilizer in DSC experiments suggests that the compatibilizer enhances the interaction between the two components and retards the crystallization. The dynamic mechanical thermal analysis experiments suggest that the compatibility in the amorphous regions of nylon 6 and PVDF in particular has been enhanced. The increase in the heat treatment time in the molten state resulted in further enhancement of the miscibility. The enhancement of compatibility by addition of a reactive compatibilizer and heat treatment resulted in a significant increase in the energy of rupture in tensile testing.     

A NEW POLYMERIC FLAME RETARDANT ADDITIVE FOR NYLON

The present paper deals with the use of a new polymeric flame retardant material, polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) for plastics. Incorporation of 15—20% PPS into nylon-6 has provided UL V-0 rating for the system and there is enhancement in tensile and flexural properties. The results obtained on the thermal, crystallization and flow characteristics of the nylon-PPS system upto a loading of 40% PPS are also discussed.