MUTUAL ENTANGLEMENTS IN POLY(VINYL ACETATE) POLY(METHYL ACRYLATE) INTERPENETRATING POLYMER NETWORKS

An equation has been derived for the equilibrium swelling of sequential interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs), which exhibit a single glass transition temperature and the two components are considered to be compatible. The properties of the equilibrium swelling and elastic modulus of sequential poly(vinyl acetate)/poly(methyl acrylate) IPNs have been discussed according to the derived equation and the Siegfried-Thomas-Sperling formula of the elastic modulus for homo IPNs. In both fully swollen and bulk states, there was favourable evidence for added physical crosslinks in poly(vinyl acetate)/poly(methyl acrylate) IPNs. The Binder-Frisch theory is also discussed.

ELECTROCHEMICAL-BEHAVIOR OF N-METHYL-N'-HEXADECYLVIOLOGEN MONOLAYERS ON SILVER ELECTRODES - EFFECTS OF COUNTERIONS

N-Methyl-N'-hexadecylviologen (C16MV) has been the subject of several electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical studies which characterized the species present in various redox states for C16MV monolayers on silver electrode surfaces. Both self-assembled monolayers (SA) and Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) transferred systems have been studied. These indicated inconsistencies regarding the presence or absence of splitting of the first reduction peak in its cyclic voltammogram (CV). The present study demonstrates the important influence of the specific anionic species present in the supporting electrolyte. Splitting may or may not take place, depending on the size and relative strength of the adsorption of specific anions contributed by the supporting electrolyte. Small, strongly adsorbing anions such as iodide produced peak splitting in the CV of C16MV monolayers; bulky but weakly adsorbing anions such as perchlorate may disrupt the ordered structure of monolayers but produce no splitting. Ancillary data provided by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was consistent with the electrochemical measurements.

TENSILE PROPERTIES OF BLENDS OF PHENOLPHTHALEIN POLY(ETHER ETHER KETONE) WITH A POLY(ETHER IMIDE)

Blends of phenolphthalein poly(ether ether ketone) (PEK-C) with a poly(ether imide) (PEI) in various proportions were prepared by the coprecipitation method. Mechanical properties and morphology of the blends were studied using tensile tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the tensile moduli exhibit positive deviations from simple additivity. Marked positive deviations were also observed for ultimate strength. These results suggest that the PEI/PEK-C blends are mechanically compatible. SEM study shows no evidence of phase separation, supporting the idea that the blends are compatible.

PHASE-SEPARATION IN ANHYDRIDE-CURED EPOXY-RESIN CONTAINING PHENOLPHTHALEIN POLY(ETHER ETHER KETONE)

Dynamic mechanical analysis and scanning electron microscopy were used to study phase separation of three blends of anhydride-cure bisphenol-A-type epoxy resin with phenolphthalein poly(ether ether ketone). Phase separation was observed for all the blends. The overall compatibility and the resulting morphology of the cured blends are dependent on the choice of cure agent. The phenomena have been discussed from the points of view of both thermodynamics and kinetics. The effects of the choice of hardener on phase separation are considered to be primarily due to differences between the chemical natures of the hardeners.

DYNAMIC SCALING AND FRACTAL BEHAVIOR OF SPINODAL PHASE-SEPARATION IN POLYMER MIXTURES OF POLY(METHYL METHACRYLATE) WITH POLY(STYRENE-CO-ACRYLONITRILE)

Dynamic scaling and fractal behaviour of spinodal phase separation is studied in a binary polymer mixture of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (SAN). In the later stages of spinodal phase separation, a simple dynamic scaling law was found for the scattering function S(q,t):S(q,t) approximately q(m)-3S approximately (q/q(m)). The possibility of using fractal theory to describe the complex morphology of spinodal phase separation is discussed. In phase separation, morphology exhibits strong self-similarity. The two-dimensional image obtained by optical microscopy can be analysed within the framework of fractal concepts. The results give a fractal dimension of 1.64. This implies that the fractal structure may be the reason for the dynamic scaling behaviour of the structure function.

DYNAMIC SCALING OF THE STRUCTURE-FUNCTION FOR SPINODAL DECOMPOSITION IN CRITICAL AND NONCRITICAL MIXTURES OF POLY(VINYL ACETATE) POLY(METHYL METHACRYLATE)

The dynamics of phase separation in a binary polymer blend of poly(vinyl acetate) with poly(methyl methacrylate) was investigated by using a time-resolved light-scattering technique. In the later stages of spinodal decomposition, a simple dynamic scaling law was found for the scattering function S(q, t)(S(q, t) approximately I(q, t)): S(q, t)q(m)-3 S approximately (q/q(m)). The scaling function determined experimentally was in good agreement with that predicted by Furukawa, S approximately (X) approximately X2/(3 + X8) for critical concentration, and approximately in agreement with that predicted by Furukawa, S approximately (X) approximately X2/(3 + X6) for non-critical mixtures. The light-scattering invariant shows that the later stages of the spinodal decomposition were undergoing domain ripening.

RADIATION-INDUCED CROSS-LINKING OF POLY(METHYL METHACRYLATE)-POLY(ETHYLENE OXIDE) BLEND

Radiation-induced crosslinking of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-poly(methylene oxide) (PEO) blends was studied. It was found that PMMA in PMMA-PEO blend can be crosslinked in the range of certain doses (1 approximately 20 x 10(4) Gy) and composition (PMMA% = 30 approximately 70) under the absence of oxygen. Moreover, it was also found that the crosslinking degree of PMMA in the blend in which the content of PMMA is 70% is the largest. The crosslinking degree of PMMA in the blend is closely related with the polymer miscibility. The crosslinking degree of the blend prepared at 60-degrees-C is far higher than one at ambient temperature.

COMPARISON OF THE BEHAVIOR OF CYCLIC AND LINEAR POLYSTYRENE IN DILUTE-SOLUTION

Using a low angle laser light scattering photometer, the second virial coefficients (A2) of both cyclic and linear polystyrene were determined in cyclohexane, toluene and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) solutions. From the data obtained in cyclohexane solution the theta-temperature of cyclic polystyrene was determined to be 30-degrees-C. In toluene solution A2 of cyclic polystyrene is smaller than that of linear polystyrene with the same molecular weight, but in MEK the values are similar.

INVESTIGATION OF PHASE SEPARATION BEHAVIOR IN POLY (METHYL METHACRYLATE)/POLY (STYRENE-CO-ACRYLONITRILE) MIXTURES WITH PULSED NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE

Thermally induced phase separation in the mixture of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with poly(styrene-co-acrylonitite (SAN) has intern studied with pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) in single spin-lattice retaxation time T-1 of the eornpatibl. mixture two T-1 corresponding to those of PM MA-rich and SAN-rich comairis. Meanwhile, both T-1 gradually changing with annealing time provides the direct evidence that the phase separation takes place with a decomposition mechanism. Diffusion coeffieient was to lac negative, indicating an uphal diffusion characteristics, The basic parameters governing its kinetics were estimated using NMR date which were in good agreement with those evaluated from time-resolved light scattering experiments for a 60/40(PMMA/SAN) mixture annealed at 180.0 degrees C.

BLENDS OF PHENOLPHTHALEIN POLY(ETHER ETHER KETONE) WITH PHENOXY AND EPOXY-RESIN

The properties of miscible phenolphthalein poly(ether ether ketone)/phenoxy (PEK-C/phenoxy) blends have been measured by dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile testing. The blends were found to have single glass transition temperatures (T(g)) that vary continuously with composition. The tensile moduli exhibit positive deviations from simple additivity. Marked positive deviations were also observed for tensile strength. The tensile strengths of the 90/10 and 75/25 PEK-C/phenoxy blends are higher than those of both the pure components. Embrittlement, or transition from the brittle to the ductile mode of failure, occurs in the composition range of 50-25 wt% PEK-C. These observations suggest that mixing on the segmental level has occurred and that there is enough interaction between the components to decrease its internal mobility significantly. PEK-C was also found to be miscible with the epoxy monomer, diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA), as shown by the existence of a single glass transition temperature (T(g)) within the whole composition range. Miscibility between PEK-C and DGEBA could be considered to be due mainly to entropy. However, PEK-C was judged to be immiscible with the diaminodiphenylmethane-curved epoxy resin (DDM-cured ER). It was observed that the PEK-C/ER blends have two T(g), which remain invariant with composition and are almost the same as those of the pure components, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the PEK-C/ER blends have a two-phase structure. The different miscibility with PEK-C between DGEBA and the DDM-cured ER is considered to be due to the dramatic change in the chemical and physical nature of ER after curing.

COMPATIBILIZING EFFECT OF POLY(ETHYLENE OXIDE)-B-POLYSTYRENE-B-POLY(ETHYLENE OXIDE) IN PHENOLPHTHALEIN POLY(ETHER ETHER KETONE) POLY(2,6-DIMETHYL-1,4-PHENYLENE OXIDE) BLENDS

The morphology and mechanical behaviour of phenolphthalein poly(ether ether ketone) (PEK-C)/poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) blends has been investigated. A poly(ethylene oxide)-b-polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PS-PEO) triblock copolymer was used as compatibilizer. It was found that PEO-PS-PEO has a compatibilizing effect on the PEK-C/PPO blends. The addition of PEO-PS-PEO to the blends greatly improves phase dispersion and interfacial interfacial adhesion and also enhances the ultimate tensile strength and Young's modulus at compositions ranging from 30 to 70% PEK-C. However, all the values of the ultimate tensile strength within the whole composition range are lower than those expected by simple additivity, probably owing to the poor mechanical properties of PEO-PS-PEO copolymer.