Characterization and Miscibility Dynamics of Dextran-Poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-Water System

Summary: The miscibility behavior and intermolecular interactions among Dextran (Dx) with different molecular weight and Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) blends were studied as dilute aqueous solutions at 25 °C by viscosity method. The intrinsic viscosity and the interaction coefficient were experimentally measured for each polymer-water as well as for Dx-PVP-water systems. These results served for the prediction of miscibility of the Dx/PVP blends with various blend compositions by using , , , , and parameters. Except Dx4/PVP with its all compositions (Dx4 with nominal molecular weight of 110 000), other blend systems are found to be almost miscible. The density measurements of these polymer solutions and their blends were conducted in order to compare with the viscosity findings. Lastly, all Dx with different molecular weight, PVP and their blends were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).