Fourier-transform infrared study of polystyrene/poly(vinyl methyl ether) blends

Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) studies of polystyrene (PS)/poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) blends are presented. Both compatible (one-phase) and phase-separated blends were studied. In the case of compatible PS/PVME blends, there is strong evidence for molecular interactions. The interaction spectrum was obtained by digital subtraction techniques. In contrast, no interaction is detected for the phase-separated blends. In view of these results, molecular interactions must play a role in the compatibility of the two polymers. The merits of factor analysis and least-squares fit methods, as pertaining to our data, are also discussed.