Block copolymer compatibilization of cocontinuous polymer blends.
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
The effect of block copolymers on the cocontinuous morphology of 50/50 (w/w) polystyrene (PS)/high density polyethylene (HDPE) blends was investigated using symmetric polystyrene-polyethylene block copolymers (PS-PE) with molecular weights varying from 6 to 200 kg/mol. The coarsening rate during annealing was compared to the Doi-Ohta theory. An intermediate molecular weight PS-PE, 40 kg/mol, showed remarkable results in reducing the phase size and stabilizing the blend morphology during annealing. Mixing small amounts of 6, 100 or 200 kg/mol PS-PE in the blend did not reduce the phase size significantly, but did decrease the coarsening rate during annealing. In stabilizing the morphology, 6 kg/mol PS-PE was inferior to 100 and 200 kg/mol. The existence of an optimal molecular weight block copolymer is due to a balance between the ability of the block copolymer to reach the interface and its relative stabilization effect at the interface.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Laboratories
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 952113
- Report Number(s):
- SAND2004-6666J
- Journal Information:
- Proposed for publication in Polymer., Journal Name: Proposed for publication in Polymer.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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