A Vitrimer Acts as a Compatibilizer for Polyethylene and Polypropylene Blends

Yokoyama, Kosuke; Guan, Zhibin

doi:10.1002/anie.202317264

A Vitrimer Acts as a Compatibilizer for Polyethylene and Polypropylene Blends (in EN)

Journal Article · Wed Apr 10 04:00:00 EDT 2024 · Angewandte Chemie (International Edition)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202317264· OSTI ID:2575829

Yokoyama, Kosuke ^[1]; ^[1]

Univ. of California, Irvine, CA (United States)

Polymer compatibilization plays a critical role in achieving polymer blends with favorable mechanical properties and enabling efficient recycling of mixed plastic wastes. Nonetheless, traditional compatibilization methods often require tailored designs based on the specific chemical compositions of the blends. In this study, we propose a new approach for compatibilizing polymer blends using a dynamically crosslinked polymer network, known as vitrimers. By adding a relatively small amount (1–5 w/w%) of a vitrimer made of siloxane‐crosslinked high‐density polyethylene (HDPE), we successfully compatibilized unmodified HDPE and isotactic polypropylene (iPP). The vitrimer‐compatibilized blend exhibited enhanced elongation at break (120 %) and smaller iPP domain sizes (0.4 μm) compared to the control blend (22 % elongation at break, 0.9 μm iPP droplet size). Moreover, the vitrimer‐compatibilized blend showed significantly improved microphase stability during annealing at 180 °C. This straightforward method shows promise for applications across various polymer blend systems.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Univ. of California, Irvine, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); US National Science Foundation

Grant/Contract Number:: FG02-04ER46162

OSTI ID:: 2575829

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2335961

Journal Information:: Angewandte Chemie (International Edition), Journal Name: Angewandte Chemie (International Edition) Journal Issue: 20 Vol. 63; ISSN 1521-3773; ISSN 1433-7851

Publisher:: WileyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: EN

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