Interfacial layer and phase inversion behavior in the blend of polyethersulfone and polycarbonate

A blend of polyethersulfone (PES) and polycarbonate (PC) with a ratio of 40/60 was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic mechanical analysis, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that the PES-PC blend is a partially miscible, two-phase system, and an interfacial layer exists between the phases of PES and PC. Specific interaction resulting from the n-complex between PES and PC provides the driving force for formation of the interfacial layer. In addition, phase inversion behavior was also observed for the 40/60 composition.