The effect of ionic cross-links on the deformation behavior of homoblends made of poly(styrene-co-styrenesulfonic acid) and poly(styrene-co-4-vinylpyridine)

Deformation behavior of stoichiometric blends made from poly(styrene-co-styrenesulfonic acid) (SPS) and poly(styrene-co-4-vinylpyridine) (SVP) was investigated by TEM observation of strained thin films. An FTIR investigation revealed that ionic cross-links were formed between the component polymers upon blending due to intermolecular ion-ion interactions, which arose from proton transfer from sulfonic acid groups to pyridine groups. TEM observations indicate that the deformation mode of the blends changed from crazing only to crazing plus shear deformation, with the shear contribution becoming larger, as the ion content in the blends increased. Such changes in deformation mode can be understood as arising from an increase in the ‘effective’ strand density due to the formation of ionic cross-links upon blending. It was also found that the ionic cross-links via pyridinium cation/sulfonate anion ion pairs were more effective in inducing the transition of deformation mode than ionic cross-links via -SO₃⁻/Na⁺ or -SO₃⁻/Ca²⁺ ion pairs.     

Synergistic enhancement in mechanical properties and microstructure of homoblends made of poly(styrene-co-styrenesulfonic acid) and poly(styrene-co-4-vinylpyridine)

Bulk mechanical properties and microstructure of a model blend (homoblend), made of poly(styrene-co-styrenesulfonic acid) (SPS) and poly(styrene-co-4-vinylpyridine) (SVP), were investigated by tensile measurements and modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC). The mechanical properties exhibited synergism: tensile strength and toughness values of the blends were higher than those expected based on the rule of mixtures. The results were attributed to the formation of ionic cross-links due to intermolecular ion-ion interactions between pyridinium cations and sulfonate anions, which arose from proton transfer from sulfonic acid groups to pyridine groups upon blending. MDSC detected only one T_g for the SPS/SVP blends, indicating that the blends were unclustered. However, after annealing the blends at 150 °C for 24 h, two T_g's were detected, reflecting microphase separation (formation of a cluster phase and a matrix phase) due to aggregation of ionic groups during annealing.     

Novel blends made of ionic naphthalene thermotropic polymer and poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Novel blends made of ionic naphthalene thermotropic polymer (NTP) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) have been prepared by melt mixing. Homogeneous blends were formed when a small amount (5 wt%) of ionic NTP was blended with PET; but, phase separation occurred at a higher composition of the ionic NTP (10 wt%). Both the stiffness and the strength are enhanced in all the blends studied as compared with PET. A remarkable increase in ductility and toughness is noted during necking in these blends. Enhancement in tensile properties and good homogeneity of the blends at low composition (5 wt%) are attributed to ion-dipole interactions between the ionic groups of the ionic NTP and the dipolar units of the PET. It is suggested that ionic NTP chains not only act as reinforcer in the homogeneous blends, but also serve as a nucleating agent to increase crystallinity and as a good stress transfer agent to ease an inhomogeneous deformation process during necking of the PET matrix under tensile stress.     

Miscibility and interactions in poly(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl methacrylate-co-4-vinylpyridine)/poly(p-vinylphenol) blends

The miscibility and specific interactions in poly(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl methacrylate-co-4-vinylpyridine) (PFX, X=0, 28, 40 or 54, denoting the mol% of 4-vinylpyridine unit in the copolymer)/poly(p-vinylphenol) (PVPh) blends have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). DSC studies show that PF0 is immiscible with PVPh, and the presence of a sufficient amount of 4-vinylpyridine units in the copolymer produces miscible blends. AFM images also clearly show that the blends change from heterogeneous to homogeneous upon the incorporation of 4-vinylpyridine unit into the copolymer. FTIR and XPS show the existence of inter-polymer hydrogen bonding between PFX and PVPh. The intensity of the inter-polymer hydrogen bonding increases with increasing 4-vinylpyridine content in the copolymer.     

Segregation morphology of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/poly(vinyl acetate) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-10% 3-hydroxyvalerate)/poly(vinyl acetate) blends as studied via small angle X-ray scattering

Segregation morphology of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)/poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-10% 3-hydroxyvalerate) (P(HB-co-10% HV)/PVAc blends crystallized at 70 °C have been investigated by means of small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Morphological parameters including the crystal thickness (l_c) and the amorphous layer thickness (l_a) were deduced from the one-dimensional correlation function (γ(z)). Blending with PVAc thickened the PHB crystals but not the P(HB-co-10% HV) crystals. On the basis of the composition variation of l_a, and the volume fraction of lamellar stacks (?_s) revealed that PHB/PVAc blends created the interlamellar segregation morphology when the weight fraction of PVAc (w_PVAc)≤0.2 and the interlamellar and interfibrillar segregation coexisted when w_PVAc>0.2, while P(HB-co-10% HV)/PVAc blends yielded the interfibrillar segregation morphology at all blend compositions. For both PHB/PVAc and P(HB-co-10% HV)/PVAc blends, the distance of PVAc segregation was promoted by increasing PVAc composition and the distance of PVAc segregation in P(HB-co-10% HV)/PVAc blends was greater than in PHB/PVAc at a given PVAc composition. The crystal growth rate played a key role in controlling the segregation of PVAc.     

Blends of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(4-vinylphenol-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate): thermal analysis, morphological behaviour and specific interactions

DSC and optical microscopy were used to determine the miscibility and crystallinity of blends of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) with poly(4-vinylphenol-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PVPh-HEM). A single glass transition temperature was observed for all blends, indicating miscibility. A progressive decrease in the degree of crystallinity and in the size of the PEO spherullites is observed, as PVPh-HEM is added. FTIR was used to probe the intermolecular specific interactions of the blends and the miscibility of the blend is mainly attributed to PVPh-HEM/PEO intermolecular interactions via hydrogen bonding.     

Miscibility and morphology in blends of poly(l-lactic acid) and poly(vinyl acetate-co-vinyl alcohol)

Poly(vinyl acetate-co-vinyl alcohol) copolymers [P(VAc-co-VA)] were prepared by acidic hydrolysis of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) at various reaction time, and the degree of hydrolysis was analyzed by ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Blends of poly(l-lactic acid) (PLA) and P(VAc-co-VA) were prepared by a solvent casting method using chloroform as a co-solvent. The PLA/PVAc blends exhibited a single glass transition over the entire composition range, indicating that the blends were miscible systems. On the contrary, for the blends with even 10% hydrolyzed PVAc copolymer, the phase separation and double glass transition were observed. With increasing neat PVAc contents, the heat of fusion decreased and the melting peaks shifted to lower temperature. The interaction parameter indicated negative values for up to 10% hydrolyzed samples, but positive values at more than 20% hydrolyzed one. Small angle X-ray scattering analysis revealed that the long period and the amorphous layer thickness increased with PVAc composition, suggesting that a considerable amount of PVAc component located in the interlamellar region. Polarized optical microscopy showed that the texture of spherulites became rougher on increasing the PVAc content. In the case of P(VAc-co-VA) copolymer, the intensity of polarized light decreased significantly, indicating that P(VAc-co-VA) component seemed to be expelled out of the interfibrillar regions. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that the significant phase separation occurred with increasing the degree of hydrolysis. In the case of 70/30 blend of PLA and P(VAc-co-VA) with 30 mol% vinyl alcohol, the P(VAc-co-VA) copolymer formed the regular domains with a size of about 10 μm.     

Processability enhancement of poly(lactic acid-co-ethylene terephthalate) by blending with poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), and poly(butylene succinate)

Processability enhancement feasibility of an in-house synthesized poly(lactic acid-co-ethylene terephthalate), PLET, is investigated by blending with commercial poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate), EVA, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), PHBV, and poly(butylene succinate), PBS. The three blend systems are prepared by varying PLET contents, and their properties are characterized. DSC, SEM, and FTIR results indicate that PLET/EVA blends are immiscible, while the corresponding PLET/PBS and PLET/PHBV blends are miscible and partially miscible, respectively. DMA results show that the three blend systems have storage modulus comparable to those of commercial EVA, PHBV, and PBS, when PLET content is kept lower than 50, 25, and 25 wt%, respectively. PLET/EVA blends show higher thermal stability, compared to those of the other two blend systems. Results on degradability tests indicate that PLET/PBS blends show highest hydrolytic degradability, compared to the other two blends, as both blend constituents are associated in the hydrolytic degradation.     

Spherulitic morphology and growth of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) blends by optical microscopy

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), both semicrystalline polymers, are miscible as shown by the single glass transition temperature over the entire composition range. Morphology of PVDF/PHBV blends was investigated by optical microscopy under two different crystallization conditions. PVDF showed the spherulitic morphology at 150 °C in the PVDF/PHBV blends, where PHBV acted as the noncrystallizing component. PHBV also showed the spherulitic morphology within the matrix of the pre-existing PVDF crystals when PVDF/PHBV blends were quenched from the melt to the crystallization temperature below the melting point of PHBV. The spherulitic growth of PHBV was investigated as the function of both blend composition and crystallization temperature.     

Structural and morphological development in poly(ethylene-co-hexene) and poly(ethylene-co-butylene) blends due to the competition between liquid-liquid phase separation and crystallization

Isothermal crystallization behavior of poly(ethylene-co-hexene) (PEH) and the 50/50 blend (H50) of PEH with amorphous poly(ethylene-co-butylene) (PEB) was studied by time-resolved synchrotron simultaneous small-angle X-ray scattering/wide-angle X-ray diffraction (SAXS/WAXD) techniques and optical microscopy (OM). The X-ray study revealed the changes of structural and morphological variables such as the scattering invariant, crystallinity and lamellar long period, et al. In H50, the lamellar morphology was found to be dependent on competition between liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and crystallization. At high temperature, LLPS becomes dominating, resulted in crystallization of PEH with minimal influence of PEB. At low temperature, LLPS is suppressed, PEB component shows obvious influence on PEH crystallization, PEB is thought to be partially included into PEH lamellar stacks and PEH-PEB co-crystallization is unlikely, however, possible. Optical microscopy was used to monitor crystal nucleation and growth rates in PEH and H50, providing complementary information about the effect of temperature on LLPS and crystallization. Real-space lamellar morphologies in PEH and H50 were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), PEH exhibited sheaf-like spherulites while H50 exhibited hedrites. Overall, the competition between LLPS and crystallization in H50 blend influences the structural and morphological development. Controlling the interplay between LLPS and crystallization of PEH/PEB blends, it is possible to control the structure and morphology as practically needed.     

Morphology and thermal properties in the binary blends of poly(propylene-co-ethylene) copolymer and isotactic polypropylene with polyethylene

The morphology and thermal properties of isothermal crystallized binary blends of poly(propylene-co-ethylene) copolymer (PP-co-PE) and isotactic polypropylene (iPP) with low molecular weight polyethylene (PE) were studied with differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), polarized optical microscopy (POM) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). In PP-co-PE/PE binary blends, however, the connected PE acted as a phase separating agent to promote phase separation for PP-co-PE/PE binary blends during crystallization. Therefore, the thermal properties of PP-co-PE/PE presented double melting peaks of PE and a single melting temperature of PP during melting trace; on the other hand, at cooling trace, the connected PE promoted crystallization rate because of enhanced segmental mobility of PP-co-PE during crystallization. At isothermal crystallization temperature between the melting points of iPP and PE, the binary blend was a crystalline/amorphous system resulting in persistent remarkable molten PE separated domains in the broken iPP spherulite. And then, when temperature was quenched to room temperature, the melted PE separated domains were crystallized that presented a crystalline/crystalline system and formed the intra-spherulite segregation morphology: these PE separated domains/droplet crystals contained mixed diluent PE with connected PE components. On the other hand, in the iPP/PE binary blends, the thermal properties showed only single melting peaks for both PE and iPP. Moreover, the glass transition temperature of iPP shifted to lower temperature with increasing PE content, implying that the diluent PE molecules were miscible with iPP to form two interfibrillar segregation morphologies: iPP-rich and PE-rich spherulites. In this work, therefore, we considered that the connected PE in PP-co-PE functioned as an effective phase separating agent for PP and diluent PE may be due to the miscibility between connected PE and diluent PE larger than that between PP and dispersed PE.     

Complicated phase behavior and ionic conductivities of PVP-co-PMMA-based polymer electrolytes

We have used DSC, FTIR spectroscopy, and ac impedance techniques to investigate the interactions that occur within complexes of poly(vinylpyrrolidone-co-methyl methacrylate) (PVP-co-PMMA) and lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄) as well as these systems' phase behavior and ionic conductivities. The presence of MMA moieties in the PVP-co-PMMA random copolymer has an inert diluent effect that reduces the degree of self-association of the PVP molecules and causes a negative deviation in the glass transition temperature (T_g). In the binary LiClO₄/PVP blends, the presence of a small amount of LiClO₄ reduces the strong dipole-dipole interactions within PVP and leads to a lower T_g. Further addition of LiClO₄ increases T_g as a result of ion-dipole interactions between LiClO₄ and PVP. In LiClO₄/PVP-co-PMMA blend systems, for which the three individual systems—the PVP-co-PMMA copolymer and the LiClO₄/PVP and LiClO₄/PMMA blends—are miscible at all compositional ratios, a phase-separated loop exists at certain compositions due to a complicated series of interactions among the LiClO₄, PVP and PMMA units. The PMMA-rich component in the PVP-co-PMMA copolymer tends to be excluded, and this phenomenon results in phase separation. At a LiClO₄ content of 20 wt% salt, the maximum ionic conductivity occurred for a LiClO₄/VP57 blend (i.e., 57 mol% VP units in the PVP-co-PMMA copolymer).     

Miscibility and interactions in polystyrene and sodium sulfonated polystyrene with poly(vinyl methyl ether) PVME blends. Part II. FTIR

The miscibility and specific interactions of polystyrene (PS) and sodium sulfonated polystyrene (Na-SPS) with poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) blends (ranging from 10 to 90% PS by weight) were examined experimentally by FTIR spectroscopy. The FTIR studies at different temperatures have shown that changes in spectra of polymer blends, as reported in the literature can be explained by temperature changes in pure homopolymers. This indicates that molecular interactions, which are responsible for miscibility, are not detectable by infrared absorptions and are therefore of unspecific strength and location. The FTIR of SPS/PVME blends show that sulfonate groups of PS affect polymer miscibility through changes in configuration of molecules, rather than through direct interaction with the PVME.     

Effect of hydroxyl content on the morphology and properties of epoxy/poly(styrene-co-allylalcohol) blends

Blends based on epoxy resin and random copolymers, poly(styrene-co-allylalcohol) (PS-co-PA), were studied. Two PS-co-PA copolymers, with different hydroxyl content, and a polyallylalcohol (PA) homopolymer were used to analyze the effect of polyalcohol content. The polymers presented similar values of molar mass. The miscibility of noncured mixtures and the thermal transition behavior of cured blends were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). Its morphology was studied using both scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). While the epoxy/PA blends are homogenous materials, because of the epoxy/hydroxyl reaction, PS-co-PA/epoxy blends shows separated phases. In these blends, the presence of a third glass transition, whose value is an intermediate between those of pure components, and the presence of a well-defined interfacial layer between PS-co-PA domains and epoxy matrix indicates a secondary epoxy/hydroxyl reaction. The modification of epoxy resin with PS-co-PA provides significant increase in the storage modulus measured by DMTA. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:1580–1588, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Blends of bacterial poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and a poly(epichlorohydrin-co-ethylene oxide) copolymer: thermal and CO2 transport properties

In this work the miscibility and the carbon dioxide transport properties of a bacterial, isotactic poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (iPHB) and its blends with a copolymer of epichlorohydrin and ethylene oxide (ECH-co-EO) have been studied. Blends were prepared by solution/precipitation. The aim to obtain miscible blends of iPHB with a rubbery second component (such as the ECH-co-EO copolymer) is to have mixtures with glass transition temperatures below room temperature. In these conditions, the iPHB chains not involved in the crystalline regions retain its mobility. This mobility seems to be necessary for the attack of microorganisms and the corresponding biodegradability.Miscibility is the general rule of these mixtures, as shown by the existence of a single glass transition temperature for each blend and by the depression of the iPHB melting point. The interaction energy density stabilising the mixtures, calculated using the Nishi-Wang treatment, was similar to those of other polymer mixtures involving different polyesters and poly(epichlorohydrin) (PECH) and ECH-co-EO copolymers. The so-called binary interaction model has been used in order to simulate the evolution of the interaction energy density with the ECH-co-EO copolymer composition. Previously reported experimental data on blends of iPHB with PECH and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) have been used to quantify the required segmental interaction energy densities.In the determination of the CO₂ transport properties of the mixtures, only iPHB rich blends containing up to 40% of copolymer were considered. The effect of the ECH-co-EO copolymer is to increase the sorption and the diffusion of the penetrant (and, consequently, the permeability) with respect to the values of the pure iPHB. This is primarily due to the reduction of the global crystallinity of the blends and to the low barrier character of the ECH-co-EO copolymer. Sorption data can be reasonably reproduced using an extension of the Henry's law to ternary systems.     

Crystallization,morphology, and electrical properties of bio‐based poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/poly(ether esteramide)/ionomer blends

Bio‐based poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) and poly(ether esteramide) (PEEA) blends were prepared by melt processing with varying weight ratios (0–20 wt %) of ionomers such as lithium‐neutralized poly(ethylene‐co‐methacrylic acid) copolymer (EMAA‐Li) and sodium‐neutralized poly(ethylene‐co‐methacrylic acid) copolymer (EMAA‐Na). The blends were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), polarized light microscopy (PLM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). DSC and PLM results showed that EMAA‐Na increased the crystallization rate for PTT significantly, whereas EMAA‐Li did not enhance the crystallization rate at all. Specific interactions between PEEA and ionomers were confirmed by DSC and TEM. Electrostatic performance was also investigated for those PTT blends because PEEA is known as an ion‐conductive polymer. Here, we confirmed that both sodium and lithium ionomers work as a synergist to enhance the static decay performance of PTT/PEEA blends. Morphological study of these ternary blends systems was conducted by TEM. Dispersed ionomer domains were encapsulated by PEEA, which increases the interfacial surface area between PEEA and the PTT matrix. This encapsulation effect explains the unexpected synergy for the static dissipation performance on addition of ionomers to PTT/PEEA blends. This core–shell morphology can be predicted by calculating spreading coefficient for the ternary blends. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Characterization of microstructure and mechanical properties of biodegradable polymer blends of poly(L‐lactic acid) and poly(butylene succinate‐co‐ε‐caprolactone) with lysine triisocyanate

Effect of lysine triisocyanate (LTI) as an additive on the microstructure and the mechanical properties of biodegradable polymer blends of poly(L ‐lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(butylene succinate‐co‐ε‐caprolactone) (PBSC) were investigated by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), field‐emission scanning electron microscope (FE‐SEM), and bending and mode I fracture testing techniques. It was found that the addition of LTI dramatically improves the phase‐separation morphology of the PLLA/PBSC blends. FTIR analysis suggested that the NCO groups of LTI were acted as compatibilizer by attributing secondary process between the two polymers PLLA and PBSC, resulting lower peak intensity of ACI samples, understood as secondary process is polar interaction and hydrophobic process. DSC and FE‐SEM results also supported such improvement of immiscibility between PLLA and PBSC. Macroscopic mechanical properties such as the bending fracture energy and the mode I fracture properties are also effectively improved by the LTI addition. Void formation is suppressed due to such morphological change in PLLA/PBSC/LTI blends, and, as a result, energy dissipation in the notch‐tip region of the blends becomes higher than in that of PLLA/PBSC where localized stress concentration due to voids tends to accelerate fracture initiation and, therefore, lowers the fracture energy. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Reactive compatibilization of polyamide-12/poly(butylene terephthalate) blends with hyperbranched PEI-g-PA12: Morphology and thermal properties

Thermal and morphology properties of polyamide-12 (PA12)/poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) blends with hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine)-g-polyamide-12 (PEI-g-PA12) as reactive compatibilizer were studied by a combination of Optical Microscopy, DSC and ¹³C NMR. This compatibilizer was synthesized by simple amidation reactions. The addition of PEI-g-PA12 greatly modified the morphology of PA12/PBT blends, which were originally an incompatible polymer pair. At the beginning of the addition of compatibilizers, the sizes of PA12 and PBT rich phases decreased and the blends dispersed better. Then the phase structures became more diffused with time. At last, bi-phase morphology disappeared totally and one homogeneous structure was obtained at 260 °C. The higher the PEI-g-PA12 compatibilizer content was, the faster the morphology changed. Our DSC measurements provided a consistent picture of the crystallization behavior of PA12 and PBT components. The comparison of ¹³C NMR spectrums between PA12/PBT and PA12/PBT/PEI-g-PA12 undergoing the same thermal treatment indicated that compatibilization was originated from the formation of hyperbranched PBT-co-PEI-co-PA12 copolymers.     

Polymer electrolytes based on a ternary miscible blend of poly(ethylene oxide), poly(bisphenol A-co-epichlorohydrin) and poly(vinyl ethyl ether)

Ternary blends of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(bisphenol A-co-epichlorohydrin) (PBE) and poly(vinyl ethyl ether) (PVEE) were obtained as films and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR). From the DSC results, phase diagrams for the ternary blends were determined, where the variation of the viscoelastic phase extent as a function of the polymers composition was determined. The DSC results also indicated miscibility of the system, exhibiting only one glass transition temperature (T_g) and decrease in the crystallinity of the system, as well as decrease in the crystallinity of PEO present in the blends. Vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR) provided information on the intermolecular interactions between the pairs PBE/PEO and PBE/PVEE, via hydrogen bond interaction. From the FTIR analyses, molecular model systems of equilibrium among the interacting structures were proposed as a molecular basis for the miscibility of the system.Polymer electrolytes based on the ternary blend containing 60/25/15 (PEO/PBE/PVEE) mass percent and lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄) were obtained and characterized by DSC, FTIR, optical microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Solid electrolytes containing up to 10 wt% LiClO₄ exhibited a single-phase behavior, evidenced by the DSC results. For these electrolytes, FTIR spectra indicated the formation of polymer-ion complexes, in which the cation (Li⁺) acts favoring the polymer-polymer miscibility. Electrolytes containing LiClO₄ higher than 10 wt% exhibit a multiple phase behavior, in which a PEO-rich, salt-containing phase is present in equilibrium with PBE or PVEE-rich phases. Maximum ionic conductivity at room temperature, for the electrolyte containing 20 wt% LiClO₄, reached 4.23 × 10⁻³ Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹, while all samples exhibited conductivity of approximately 10⁻¹ Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 80 °C.     

Mechanical properties, morphology, and crystallization behavior of blends of poly(l-lactide) with poly(butylene succinate-co-l-lactate) and poly(butylene succinate)

The blends of poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) with poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly(butylene succinate-co-l-lactate) (PBSL) containing the lactate unit of ca. 3 mol% were prepared by melt-mixing and subsequent injection molding, and their mechanical properties, morphology, and crystallization behavior have been compared. Dynamic viscoelasticity and SEM measurements of the blends revealed that the extent of the compatibility of PBSL and PBS with PLLA is almost the same, and that the PBSL and PBS components in the blends with a low content of PBSL or PBS (5-20 wt%) are homogenously dispersed as 0.1−0.4 μm particles. The tensile strength and modulus of the blends approximately followed the rule of mixtures over the whole composition range except that those of PLLA/PBS 99/1 blend were exceptionally higher than those of pure PLLA. All the blends showed considerably higher elongation at break than pure PLLA, PBSL, and PBS. Differential scanning calorimetric analysis of the blends revealed that the isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization of the PLLA component is promoted by the addition of a small amount of PBSL, while the addition of PBS was much less effective.