Studies of the phase behaviour of poly(vinyl phenol)-poly(n-alkyl methacrylate) blends

• Published in: Polymer (Guilford) 1991-01, Vol.32 (6), p.1049-1058
• Main Authors: Serman, Carl J., Painter, Paul C., Coleman, Michael M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Organic polymers; phase behaviour; Physicochemistry of polymers; poly(4-vinyl phenol) blends; Properties and characterization; theoretical and experimental studies; Thermal and thermodynamic properties
• ISSN: 0032-3861; 1873-2291
• DOI: 10.1016/0032-3861(91)90591-6

The results of theoretical and experimental studies of poly(4-vinyl phenol) (PVPh) blends with a series of poly(n-alkyl methacrylates) are presented. PVPh is miscible with poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(ethyl methacrylate) and poly(n-propyl methacrylate) over the entire composition range at temperatures between ambient and 200°C. In contrast, PVPh—poly(n-butyl methacrylate) blends phase separate at temperatures below 200°C. Quantitative analyses of the fraction of hydrogen bonded carbonyl groups were obtained by FTi.r. spectroscopy for all the PVPh blends—poly(n-alkyl methacrylates) as a function of composition and temperature. The data obtained from the miscible blend systems was employed to determine values of the equilibrium constant describing inter-association, K A, and the enthalpy of hydrogen bond formation, h A. Theoretical fractions of hydrogen bonded carbonyl groups and spinodal phase diagrams were calculated using a recently reported association model. The results compare very favourably to experiment.