Compatibilizers made from Copolymers that Exhibit Strong Interactions

Abstract

Random copolymers of poly(methyl methacrylate-d8) (PMMA) and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) were synthesized and blended with polyethylene oxide (PEO), and SANS was used to estimate the strength of interaction between the various polymer pairs. The addition of PMAA greatly reduced the scattering of the blend, giving a large negative Flory-Huggins interaction parameter. Copolymers of the type PMAA-g-PS, PMAA-r-PS, PMMA-g-PS, and PMMA-r-PS (g = graft, r = random) were used as compatibilizers for the melt blending of mixtures containing 80% PS and 20% PEO. Random copolymers containing half PMMA and half PS or half PMAA and half PS were ineffective compatibilizers while graft copolymers of these polymers produced a much finer dispersion of PEO in PS when blended at 190'C. Graft copolymers made with 90% PS were different, however, with PMMA grafts having only a small effect, while PMAA grafts having a large effect. Random and graft copolymers of PS and PMMA were also used to compatibilize blends of PS and PMMA. The results were similar to the same compatibilizers with blends of PS and PEO, with the graft copolymer causing a finer dispersion.