Interfacial Modification Through End Group Complexation in Polymer Blends
Abstract
The concept of interpolymer complexation is applied to develop a new method for interfacial modification of immiscible binary homopolymer blends. In this method, end-functional homopolymers terminated with acid and base groups are added to the blend to promote in situ end-complexation of the immiscible materials across the interface. The interpolymer complex that forms between acid and base groups creates a 'block-copolymer-like' structure that spans across the interface. Pendant drop tensiometry is applied to measure the interfacial tension reduction afforded by this complexation. The interfacial tension data show behavior similar to that observed for block copolymer addition to homopolymer blends. In difference to the behavior of block copolymers, however, the formation of interpolymer complexes is dependent on the equilibrium between associated and dissociated functional groups. That is, the ultimate plateau value for interfacial tension reduction is dependent on the functional group stoichiometry. A reaction model for end-complexation is developed including the effects of carboxylic acid dimerization in order to reproduce the interfacial reduction data. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is applied to determine the appropriate rate constants. Finally it is shown that the overall interfacial tension behavior is consistent with that predicted by current statistical thermodynamic theories
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 04, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA265887
Entities
People
- A. R. Morales
- C. A. Fleischer
- J. T. Koberstein
Organizations
- University of Connecticut