Reactively formed ENPT copolymers as compatibilizers in ternary blends of poly(ethylene naphthalate)/poly(pentamthylene terephthalate)/poly(ether imide)

摘要

The compatibility of ternary blends of poly(ethylene naphthalate)/poly(pentamethylene terephthalate)/poly(ether imide) (PEN/PPT/PEI) was studied by examining the transesterification of PEN and PPT. ENPT copolymers were formed in situ as compatibilizers between PPT and PEI components in ternary blends. Differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) results for ternary blends showed the immiscibility of PEN/PPT/PEI, but ternary blends of all compositions were phase-homogeneous after heat treatment at 300 degrees C for more than 60 min. Annealing samples at 300 degrees C yielded amorphous blends with a clear, single glass transition temperature (T-g), as the final state. Additionally, ENPT copolymer improved the compatibility of ENPT/PPT/PEI blends, yielding a homogeneous phase in the ENPT-rich compositions. The morphology of the ENPT/PPT/PEI blends was altered from heterogeneous to homogeneous by controlling the concentration of PPT in the ENPT copolymers as well as the concentration of the ENPT copolymers. Moreover, a homogeneous phase with a clear T-g was observed when the concentration of PPT in the ENPT copolymer fell to 70 wt% in the ENPT/PEI = 50/50 blends. Experimental results indicate how the concentration of PPT in the ENPT copolymer affects miscibility in the ENPT/PEI blends.