Modelling the hydrogen-bonding interactions in a copolymer/biodegradable homopolymer blend through excess functions

Abstract

A recent theoretical approach based on the coupling of both the Flory-Huggins (FH) and the Association Equilibria thermodynamic (AET) theories was modified and adapted to study the miscibility properties of a multicomponent system formed by two polymers (a proton-donor and a proton-acceptor) and a proton-acceptor solvent, named copolymer(A)/solvent(B)/polymer(C). Compatibility between polymers was mainly attained by hydrogenbonding between the hydroxyl group on the phenol unit of the poly(styrene-co-vinyl phenol) (PSVPh) and the carbonyl group of the biodegradable and environmentally friendly poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). However, the selfassociation of PSVPh and specific interactions between the PSVPh and the H-acceptor group (an ether oxygen atom) of the epichlorohydrin (ECH) solvent were also established in a lower extension, which competed with the polymer-polymer association. All the binary specific interactions and their dependence with the system composition as well as with the copolymer content were evaluated and quantified by means of two excess functions of the Gibbs free energy, Δg A Band Δg A C . Experimental results from fluorescence spectroscopy were consistent with the theoretical simulations derived with the model, which could also be applied and extended to predict the miscibility in solution of any polymer blend with specific interactions.

Effects of compatibilizers on the mechanical properties and interfacial tension of polypropylene and poly(lactic acid) blends

“…[3][4][5] Blending of biodegradable polymers induces gradual decomposition of conventional polymers and the phenomenon is named at biodisintegration. [6][7][8][9][10][11] Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is an unstable material which can be decomposed easily by various types of impurities. It especially reacts with water and it is converted to lactic acid, and the lactic acid is biodegraded by microbes.…”

Miscibility of Blends of Biodegradable Polymers and Copolymers with Different Plasticizers

“…The third method, with lower cost and well-developed technology, consists of blending strategies with other materials in order to confer better properties and improve their potential applications. [2,3,6,[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] The blend miscibility can regulate the material properties although another possible concern is the blend biodegradability. Recent studies have pointed out the use of elastomeric materials and plasticizers as an adequate second component of the PHB blends to achieve biodegradability and promote a better interfacial adhesion.…”

“…These potential donoracceptor specific interactions can lead to the formation of multicomponent complexes according to the following equilibrium processes: [24,[32][33][34][35][36][37] (i) self-association of plasticizer A molecules defined by a single equilibrium constant, s AA :…”

“…From a quantitative viewpoint, the m influence on the Dg AC values is not as important as the changes in the s AA and h AC values, at least in the present systems compared with those where component A is another polymer. [24] The tendencies observed for both plasticizers are quite analogue although a slight change can be appreciated when examining the punctual values.…”

Self-doped carboxylated polyaniline: effect of hydrogen bonding on the doping of polymers

“…E-mails: Jayant_Kumar@uml.edu or Lynne_Samuelson@us.army.mil S.-C. Kim et al layer-by-layer self-assemblies, 10,11 nanotechnology, [12][13][14][15][16][17] and the detection of divalent metal ions. 18 In spite of many potential applications of carboxylated polyaniline (PCA), the chemical synthesis of this polymer has not been successful with chemical oxidative polymerization because of the poor solubility of a monomer in acidic media.…”