Studies on blends of LLDPE and ethylene-methacrylic acid random copolymer

Blends of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) (EMA) random copolymer were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and excimer fluorescence. In binary blends, crystallization of EMA was studied, and no modification of crystal structure was detected. In excimer fluorescence measurements, emission intensities of blends of EMA and naphthalene-labeled LLDPE were measured. The ratio of the excimer emission intensity (I-D) to the emission intensity of the isolated "monomer" (I-M) decreases upon addition of EMA, indicating that PE segments of EMA interpenetrate into the amorphous phase of LLDPE. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd,. All rights reserved.

Studies on blends of LLDPE and polar polymers compatibilized by a random copolymer

Compatibilization of blends of Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and LLDPE-copolymer of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and 4-vinylpyridine (poly(MMA-co-4VP) with poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) (EMAA) have been studied. Mechanical properties of the LLDPE-PMMA blends increase upon addition of EMAA. In order to further improve interfacial adhesion of LLDPE and PMMA, 4-vinyl pyridine units are introduced into PMMA chains, or poly(MMA-co-4VP) is used as the polar polymer. In LLDPE-poly(MMA-co-4VP)-EMAA blends, interaction of MAA in EMAA with 4VP of poly(MMA-co-4VP) causes a band shift in the infrared (IR) spectra. Chemical shifts of N-1s binding energy in X-ray photoelectronic spectroscopy (XPS) experiments indicate a transfer of proton from MAA to 4VP. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) pictures show that the morphology of the blends were improved upon addition of EMAA. Nonradiative energy transfer (NRET) fluorescence results attest that there exists interdiffusion of chromophore-labeled LLDPE chains and chromophore-labeled poly(MMA-co-4VP) chains in the interface. Based on experimental results, the mechanism of compatibilization is studied in detail. Compatibilization is realized through the interaction between MAA in EMAA with 4VP in poly(MMA-co-4VP). (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Compatibilizing effects and mechanism of compatibilization of LLDPE/PEO blends by EAA

The compatibilizing effects of the compatibilizer, ethylene-acrylic acid random copolymer (EAA), on linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) blends and the mechanism of compatibilization of the blends have been studied. Morphology and microstructures as characterized by SEM, DMA, DSC and IR show that EAA can act as an effective compatibilizer, and the mechanism of compatibilization is due to the compatibility of amorphous phases between EAA and LLDPE, and intermolecular interaction between the carboxylic groups in EAA. and the ethereal oxygens in PEG.

Study on a comb-like polymer electrolyte based on the backbone of ethylene-maleic anhydride copolymer

A comb-like polymer host(CBPE) as polymer electrolyte was synthesized by reacting poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (PEGME) with ethylene-maleic anhydride copolymer(EMAC) and endcapping the residual carboxylic acid with methanol. The synthetic process was followed by IR and the amorphous product characterized by IR and elemental analysis. There were two peaks in the plot of the ionic conductivity against Li salt concentration. The plot of log sigma vs. 1/(T - T-0) may exhibit dual VTF behavior when using the glass transition temperature of PEO of side chain as T-0. The comb-like polymer is a white rubbery solid which dissolves in acetone. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Application of the Sanchez-Lacombe lattice fluid theory to the system pvme/ps and model calculations

Cloud point curves reported in the literature for five representatives of the system poly(vinyl methyl ether)/polystyrene were evaluated theoretically by means of the Sanchez-Lacombe lattice fluid theory. The measured phase separation behavior can be described within experimental error using only one adjustable parameter (quantifying the interaction between the unlike mers). The Flory-Huggins interaction parameters calculated from this theoretical description depend in good approximation linearly on composition (volume fractions) and on the inverse temperature. An evaluation of these data yields a maximum heat effect which is almost one order of magnitude less (ca. -0.25 J/cm(3)) than obtained via Hess's cycle (dissolution of the components and of the blend) from calorimetric measurements. Model calculations on the basis of the present theory demonstrate that the critical points shift to a different extent upon a certain relative change in the molar mass of the blend components. The sensitivity of the calculated phase diagrams against changes in the scaling parameter decreases in the following order: interaction energies between unlike mers, differences in the scaling temperatures, pressures and densities.

Synthesis, characterization and ionic conductivity of solid polymer electrolytes based on modified alternating maleic anhydride copolymer with oligo(oxyethylene) side chains

Three comb polymers (CP) based on modified alternating methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymer with oligo-oxyethylene side chains of the type -O(CH2CH2O)(n)CH3 were synthesized and characterized, and the ionic conductivity of CP/salt complexes is reported. The conductivity of these complexes was about 10(-5)-10(-6) S cm(-1) at room temperature. The conductivity, which displayed non-Arrhenius behaviour, was analysed using the Vogel-Tammann-Fulcher equation. The conductivity maxima appear at lower salt concentration, when CP has longer side chains. Infrared (i.r.) was used to study the cation-polymer interaction. I.r. results also indicate that the ester in CP might decompose at 140 degrees C and reproduce the maleic anhydride ring. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Ion-conducting polymers based on modified alternating maleic anhydride copolymer with oligo(oxyethylene) side chains

Comb-like polymers (CPs) based on modified alternating methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymer with oligo(oxyethylene) side chains of the type -O(CH2CH2O)(n)CH3 were synthesized and characterized, and complexed with lithium salts to form amorphous polymer electrolytes. Maximum conductivity close to 1.38 x 10(-4) S/cm was achieved at room temperature and at a [Li]/[EO] ratio (EO = ethylene oxide) of about 0.066. The temperature dependence of ionic conductivity suggested that the ion transport was controlled by segmental motion of the polymer, shown by linear curves obtained in Vogel-Tammann-Fulcher plots. The ionic conductivity maximum moved to a higher salt concentration as the temperature increased, indicating that a larger number of charge carriers can be transferred through polymer chains, of which free volume is increased at higher temperature. IR results indicated that the ester in CPs might decompose at 140 degrees C and reproduce the maleic anhydride ring.

Ionic conductivity of solid polymer electrolytes based on modified alternating maleic anhydride copolymer with oligo(oxyethylene) side chains

Comb-like polymers (CP) based on modified alternating methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymer with oligo-oxyethylene side chains of the type -O(CH2CH2O)(n)CH3 have been synthesized and characterized, and complexed with lithium salts to form amorphous polymer electrolytes. CP/salt complexes showed conductivity up to 10(-5)Scm(-1) at room temperature. The temperature dependence of ionic conductivity suggests that the ion transport is controlled by segmental motion of the polymer, shown by linear curves obtained in Vogel-Tammann-Fulcher plots. The ionic conductivity maximum moves to a higher salt concentration as the temperature increases. IR results indicate that the ester in CP might decompose at 140 degrees C and reproduce the maleic anhydride ring.

Study on the two class glass transition and ion transport of a comb polymer electrolyte

The thermal behaviour and ion-transport properties of a comb polymer electrolyte CP350/LiSCN based on methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymer with oligo-oxyethylene side chains were studied by means of DSC and ac impedance method. The two glass transition temperatures which can be attributed to side chains and main chains respectively were found to increase with increasing salt concentration. Conductivities which displayed non-Arrhenius behaviour were analyzed by using Vogel-Tammann-Fulcher equation and interpreted on the basis of the configurational entropy model derived by Gibbs and coworkers. The optimum ionic conductivity at 25 degrees C achieved was 2.19x10(-5)S/cm.

Synthesis and ionic conductivity studies of solid polymer electrolytes based on modified alternating maleic anhydride copolymer with oligo(oxyethylene) side chains

Comb-like polymers (CP) based on modified alternating methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymer with oligo-oxyethylene side chains of the type-O(CH2CH2O)(n)CH3 have been synthesized and characterized, and complexed with LiNO3 to form an amorphous polymer electrolyte. CP/salt complexes showed conductivity up to 10(-5) S/cm at room temperature. The temperature dependence of ionic conductivity suggests that the ion transport is controlled by segmental motion of the polymer, shown by linear curves obtained in Vogel-Tammann-Fulcher plots. The ionic conductivity maximum moves to a higher salt concentration as the temperature increases. IR results also indicate that the ester in CP might decompose at 140 degrees C and reproduce the maleic anhydride ring.

Dynamic mechanical properties of interpenetrating polymer networks based on polyacrylates and epoxy

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) based on polyacrylate (poly(polyethylene glycol diacrylate), PEGDA) and epoxy(diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A, DGEBA) were prepared simultaneously Dynamic mechanical properties of the SINs (simultaneous interpenetrating networks) with various compositions were studied. Enhanced mechanical properties were found in this case. From the point of view of pre-swollen networks, all of the PEGDA/DGEBA IPNs were composed of the individual pre-swollen networks. A micro-phase segregation system was produced in the SIN. Glass transition temperatures shifted inward, which was attributed to molecular packing effects or mutual-entanglements of molecular segments among the individual pre-swollen networks. In accordance with the additivity of properties, namely the parallel model, the entanglement density between the two polymer networks reached its maximum at 50/50 PEGDA/DGEBA IPN.

Studies on the two class glass transition and the typical VTF behaviour of an amorphous comb polymer electrolyte

A comb polymer (CP350) with oligo-oxyethylene side chains of the type -(CH2CH2O)(7)CH3 was prepared from methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymer and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether. The polymer can dissolve LiNO3 salt to form homogeneous amorphous polymer electrolyte. This electrolyte system was first found to have two class glass transitions, and the two T(g)s were observed to increase with increasing salt content. The ionic conduction was measured by using the complex impedance method, and conductivities were investigated as functions of temperature and salt concentration. At 25 degrees C, the ionic conductivity maximum of this system can get to 3.72 X 10(-5) S/cm at the [Li]/ [EO] ratio of 0.057. The appearance of the conductivity maximum has been interpreted as being due to the effect of T-g and the so called physical crosslinks. The temperature dependence of the ionic conductivity displaying non-Arrhenius behaviour can be analyzed using the Vogel-Tammann-Fulcher equation and interpreted on the basis of the configurational entropy model.

Lithium ion conducting polymer electrolytes based on alternating maleic anhydride copolymer with oligo-oxyethylene side chains

A comb polymer with oligo-oxyethylene side chains of the type -(CH2CB2O)(12)CH3 was prepared from methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymer and poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether. The polymer can dissolve LiClO4 salt to form homogeneous amorphous polymer electrolyte. The ac ion conduction was measured using the complex impedance method, and conductivities were investigated as functions of temperatures and salt concentration. The complexes were first found to have two classes of glass transition which increase with increasing salt content, The optimum conductivity attained at 25 degrees C is in the order of 5.50 x 10(-6)Scm(-1). IR spectroscopy was used to study the cation-polymer interaction.

Synthesis and characterization of interpenetrating polymer networks based on polyacrylate and epoxy

The synthesis and properties of simultaneously interpenetrating networks (SINs) based on poly(polyethylene glycol diacrylate) (PEGDA) and epoxy (diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A, DGEBA) were studied. The effect of compositional variation on the morphology and properties of products was investigated. The swelling coefficient, densities, glass transition behavior, and thermal stability of these interpenetrating networks (IPNs) are discussed. Microphase separation morphological structures were found in all PEGDA/DGEBA IPNs. Decreased swelling ratios compared to the calculated swelling coefficients based on the weight additivity of the components were obtained after the formation of IPNs. Increased density and thermal stability were also obtained in these IPNs, implying the existence of interpenetration (topological entanglements) among the component networks.

Phase behavior in mixtures of a homopolymer and a block copolymer .4. SALS and SAXS studies

Phase behavior of blends of poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) with four styrene-butadienestyrene (SBS) triblock copolymers, being of various molecular weights, architecture, and compositions, was investigated by small-angle light scattering. Small-angle X-ray scattering investigation was accomplished for one blend. Low critical solution temperature (LCST) and a unique phase behavior, resembling upper critical solution temperature (UCST), were observed. It was found that the architecture of the copolymer greatly influenced the phase behavior of the blends. Random phase approximation theory was used to calculate the spinodal phase transition curves of the ABA/C and BAB/C systems; LCST and resembling UCST phase behavior were observed as the parameters of the system changed. Qualitatively, the experimental and the theoretical results are consistent with each other. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.