Premade versus in situ formed compatibilizer at the PS/PMMA interface: contribution of the Raman confocal microscopy to the fracture analysis

Abstract

The interface of a two-layer assembly of polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was modified by an intermediate layer of either a premade poly(styrene-g-methyl methacrylate) copolymer (P(S-g-MMA)) or a preblend of mutually reactive PS and PMMA synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). No significant difference was found in the interfacial fracture toughness measured by the double cantilever beam test, although the morphology of the interfacial region was not the same when observed by transmission electron microscopy. The premade copolymer formed a distinct interphase, in contrast to the sharp interface that was observed in the case of the reactive system. The analysis of the fracture surfaces by Raman confocal microscopy showed that the fracture occurred alternatively in the PS phase and either at the PS/copolymer interface for the non reactive system or at the PS/PMMA interface for the reactive one.

Solvent-free preparation, characterization, and properties of SEBS–g–polycarbonate copolymers

“…[5] The first one is the addition of a graft or block copolymer. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12] To form a graft copolymer, two strategies exist, the grafting from between polymers [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] and the grafting onto, [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] with a polymer bearing an initiating function previously induced by ozonolysis or irradiation. [30,31] A coupling reaction through a function can also be used to generate specific functions onto a polymer chain moiety to then start a grafting from or a grafting onto.…”

Effect of oscillatory shear on the interfacial morphology of a reactive bilayer polymer system

“…Reactive blending of two or more immiscible polymers with in-situ formation of block or graft copolymer has been employed for developing new materials with desirable physical and mechanical properties, and has extensively been investigated by many research groups [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Most studies on reactive blending have focused on the final morphology of polymer blends, which determines mechanical properties [7][8][9][10][11].…”

Synthesis of PMMA-b-PU-b-PMMA tri-block copolymers through ARGET ATRP in the presence of air

“…poly(methyl acrylate) [11]) and block copolymers (e.g. polystyrene-g-poly(methyl methacrylate) copolymer [12]) with desired functionality and composition.…”