| Abstract: | The specific interaction strength of novolak-type phenolic resin blended with three similar polymers [i.e., poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)] were characterized by means of glass transition temperature behavior and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The interassociation formed within phenolic blends with the addition of a modifier not only overcomes the effect of self-association of the phenolic upon blending, but also increases the strength of phenolic blend. The strength of interassociation within the phenolic blend is the function of the hydrogen bonding group of a modifier, in increasing order, is phenolic/PVA, phenolic/PEG, and phenolic/PEO blend, corresponding to the result of “q” value in the Kwei equation. The FTIR result is in agreement with the inference of Tg behavior. In addition, the fact that the specific strength of hydrogen bonding of hydroxyl–hydroxyl is stronger than that of hydroxyl–ether can also be concluded. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 1721–1729, 1998 |
