Interfacial stabilization of binary polymer blends through radiation treatment: A free volume approach

摘要

Partially miscible blends of PS/PMMA and PVC/SAN with different compositions have been prepared by solvent casting technique and characterized by Positron Annihilation Lifetime Technique. Phase modification in these systems has been brought out using e- beam and microwave irradiation. These changes have been studied through free volume monitoring. The changes in free volume parameters upon e-beam and microwave irradiation on the two systems clearly shows improved interaction between the blend constituents as a result of cross-linking through hydrogen bond formations. The free volume data indicates the overall changes in the blend with respect to free volume, but the extent of interfacial modification occurred for different weight compositions arernnot forthcoming upon irradiation. Therefore, the hydrody-namic interaction parameter a which accounts for excess friction thus dissipation of energy at the interface between the constituents of polymer blend system is evaluated for this purpose from the very same free volume data. The parameter a represents the strength of hydrodynamic interaction or it is a measure of the adhesion strength at the interface. Present data based on hydrodynamic interaction parameter indicated that both e-beam and microwave irradiation can be used to stabilize the interfaces in binary polymer blends but the better interface modifier on the two blend systems studied. But which route that is e-beam or microwave depends on the presence of non-polar/polar groups respectively.