Small Molecule Segregation at Polymer Interfaces

The segregation behavior of a small molecule plasticizer additive at an immiscible polymer−polymer interface was explored. Deuterated and nondeuterated plasticizer, benzylbutyl phthalate, were added to bilayer and multilayer thin films of polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and th...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Macromolecules 2009-11, Vol.42 (22), p.8844-8850
Main Authors: Sivaniah, E, Jones, R. A. L, Higgins, David
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Exact sciences and technology
Organic polymers
Physicochemistry of polymers
Properties and characterization
Surface properties
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The segregation behavior of a small molecule plasticizer additive at an immiscible polymer−polymer interface was explored. Deuterated and nondeuterated plasticizer, benzylbutyl phthalate, were added to bilayer and multilayer thin films of polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and the resulting interfacial structure was analyzed by direct and indirect depth profiling techniques, using nuclear reaction analysis and neutron reflectometry, respectively. In the latter, contrast matching of the two polymer components together with a multilayer sample was used to enhance the scattering cross-section depth profile due to small molecule interfacial segregation and thus provide greater sensitivity to small amounts of interfacial segregation. The results indicated a larger-than-expected segregation of the additive to the polymer interface and consequently a greater degree of compatibilization of the PS−PMMA interface.
ISSN:0024-9297
1520-5835
DOI:10.1021/ma9017394