Polymer-Polymer Interfaces in Blends and Composites

The principal focus of this research has been on improving adhesion at the polymer-polymer interface in order to achieve useful polymer blends and certain composites. Adhesion measurements were made on several systems to demonstrate that favorable enthalpic interactions between the segments of a block copolymer and a homopolymer substrate can improve their adhesion and that appropriate chemical reactions at the polymer-polymer interface also promote adhesion. These principles were used for developing polymer blends that are tough. The matrix materials of the systems examined include polyamides, styreneacrylonitrile copolymers, styrenemaleic anhydride copolymers, etc. Composites based on liquid crystalline polymers were examined briefly. Gas transport properties in selective systems are also included. A useful way for introducing chemical functionality for in-situ reactions at the polymer-polymer interface is to add a polymer having this functionality which is miscible with one of the components. Several examples of such miscible systems were discovered and are reported here.