Molecular weight and polydispersity effects at polymer-polymer interfaces

The interfacial properties of immiscible polymers are studied, going beyond the usual approximation of infinite molecular weight, complete immiscibility. For finite molecular weights, the interfaces are broader and the interfacial tensions smaller than predicted by this approximation. These correcti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Macromolecules 1990, Vol.23 (1), p.132-139
Main Authors: Broseta, Daniel, Fredrickson, Glenn H, Helfand, Eugene, Leibler, Ludwik
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Exact sciences and technology
Organic polymers
Physicochemistry of polymers
Properties and characterization
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Summary:The interfacial properties of immiscible polymers are studied, going beyond the usual approximation of infinite molecular weight, complete immiscibility. For finite molecular weights, the interfaces are broader and the interfacial tensions smaller than predicted by this approximation. These corrections are entropic effects and are significant for typical experimental situations: they are in fact inversely proportional to the incompatibility chi sub AB N, where chi sub AB is the Flory interaction parameter between unlike (A and B) monomers and N the number of monomers per chain. In polydisperse systems, small chains accumulate slightly at the interface, lowering the interfacial tension. The analysis seems consistent with recent interfacial tension measurements. . 24 ref.--AA
ISSN:0024-9297
1520-5835
DOI:10.1021/ma00203a023