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     

Preparation and properties of poly(ether‐ester‐amide)/poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐butadiene‐co‐styrene) antistatic blends

A novel antistatic agent poly(ether‐ester‐amide) (PEEA) based on caprolactam, polyethylene glycol, and 6‐aminocaproic acid was successfully synthesized by melting polycondensation. The structure, thermal properties, and antistatic ability of the copolymer were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analyses, and ZC36 megohmmeter. Test results show that PEEA is a block copolymer with a melting point of 217°C and a thermal decomposition temperature of 409°C, together with a surface resistivity of 10⁸ Ω/sq. Antistatic poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐butadiene‐co‐styrene) (ABS) materials were prepared by blending different content of PEEA to ABS resin. The antistatic performances, morphology, and mechanical properties were investigated. It is indicated that the surface resistivity of PEEA/ABS blends decrease with the increasing PEEA content, and the excellent antistatic performance is obtained when the antistatic agent is up to 10–15%. The antistatic performance is hardly influenced by water‐washing and relative humidity, and a permanent antistatic performance is available. The antistatic mechanism is investigated. The compatibility of the blends was studied by scanning electron microscopy images. The ladder distribution of antistatic agent is formed, and a rich phase of antistatic agent can be found in the surface layer. The elongations at break of the blend are improved with the increasing antistatic agent; the tensile strength and the notched impact strength kept almost the same. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.     

Microstructure and crystallization of melt‐mixed poly(ethylene terephthalate)/poly(ethylene isophthalate) blends

Physical blends of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly(ethylene isophthalate) (PEI), abbreviated PET/PEI (80/20) blends, and of PET and a random poly(ethylene terephthalate‐co‐isophthalate) copolymer containing 40% ethylene isophthalate (PET₆₀I₄₀), abbreviated PET/PET₆₀I₄₀ (50/50) blends, were melt‐mixed at 270°C for different reactive blending times to give a series of copolymers containing 20 mol % of ethylene isophthalic units with different degrees of randomness. ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy precisely determined the microstructure of the blends. The thermal and mechanical properties of the blends were evaluated by DSC and tensile assays, and the obtained results were compared with those obtained for PET and a statistically random PETI copolymer with the same composition. The microstructure of the blends gradually changed from a physical blend into a block copolymer, and finally into a random copolymer with the advance of transreaction time. The melting temperature and enthalpy of the blends decreased with the progress of melt‐mixing. Isothermal crystallization studies carried out on molten samples revealed the same trend for the crystallization rate. The effect of reaction time on crystallizability was more pronounced in the case of the PET/PET₆₀I₄₀ (50/50) blends. The Young's modulus of the melt‐mixed blends was comparable to that of PET, whereas the maximum tensile stress decreased with respect to that of PET. All blend samples showed a noticeable brittleness. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 3076–3086, 2003     

Relationship between interfacial tension and dispersed‐phase particle size in polymer blends. II. PP/PA6

Simple blends with different viscosity ratios of the components as well as compatibilized blends varying both in type and content of the compatibilizers were used to study the relation between the interfacial tension and the dispersed‐phase particle size for PP/PA6 (80/20 wt %) blends in this work. Four compatibilizing systems including poly(ethylene‐co‐methacrylic acid) ionomers, a maleic anhydride‐grafted propylene copolymer, maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene, and a maleic anhydride‐grafted styrene ethylene butylene copolymer were used. For blends prepared in an internal mixer, a power‐law relation was found between the capillary number and the torque ratio of the blends' components. This relation was used to estimate the interfacial tension for the compatibilized blends. The relation between the steady‐state torque of the blends as a measure of viscosity and the estimated values of interfacial tension were also investigated. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 54–63, 2003     

Studies on blends of LLDPE and polar polymers compatibilized by a random copolymer

Compatibilization of blends of linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE)–poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and LLDPE–copolymer of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and 4‐vinylpyridine (poly(MMA‐co‐4VP) with poly(ethylene‐co‐methacrylic acid) (EMAA) have been studied. Mechanical properties of the LLDPE–PMMA blends increase upon addition of EMAA. In order to further improve interfacial adhesion of LLDPE and PMMA, 4‐vinyl pyridine units are introduced into PMMA chains, or poly(MMA‐co‐4VP) is used as the polar polymer. In LLDPE–poly(MMA‐co‐4VP)–EMAA blends, interaction of MAA in EMAA with 4VP of poly(MMA‐co‐4VP) causes a band shift in the infrared (IR) spectra. Chemical shifts of N_1s binding energy in X‐ray photoelectronic spectroscopy (XPS) experiments indicate a transfer of proton from MAA to 4VP. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) pictures show that the morphology of the blends were improved upon addition of EMAA. Nonradiative energy transfer (NRET) fluorescence results attest that there exists interdiffusion of chromophore‐labeled LLDPE chains and chromophore‐labeled poly(MMA‐co‐4VP) chains in the interface. Based on experimental results, the mechanism of compatibilization is studied in detail. Compatibilization is realized through the interaction between MAA in EMAA with 4VP in poly(MMA‐co‐4VP). © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 967–973, 1999     

Blends of polyamide 6 with low‐density polyethylene compatibilized with ethylene–methacrylic acid based copolymer ionomers: Effect of neutralizing cations

Blends of polyamide 6 with low‐density polyethylene compatibilized with sodium‐, zinc‐, and lithium‐neutralized ethylene—methacrylic acid ionomers were investigated at 11, 33, and 55 wt % neutralization of the ionomers. Blends of polyamide 6 with low‐density polyethylene without a compatibilizer had poor properties characteristic of incompatible polymer–polymer blends. After the addition of a compatibilizer, tensile properties improved, the modulus drop associated with melting increased to higher temperatures, and the dispersed phase size decreased. The improvement of the mechanical properties and thermomechanical properties was less with the acid copolymer than with the ionomers. Overall, ionomers neutralized with sodium, zinc, or lithium showed little difference in their compatibilization efficiency. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Effect of ethylene ionomers on the properties of crosslinked polyethylene

Most premature failure of underground crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) cables in service, a matter of great concern, is due to aging induced by water treeing. To improve the water‐tree resistance, sodium‐neutralized poly (ethylene‐co‐acrylic acid) (EAA–Na) ionomers were blended with XLPE; the EAA–Na ionomers were prepared through the neutralization of sodium hydroxide and poly(ethylene‐co‐acrylic acid). A series of XLPE/EAA–Na ionomer blends were investigated through the measurement of the water absorption ratio, water treeing, and mechanical and dielectric testing; the results strongly suggested that EAA–Na ionomers could improve the water‐tree resistance of XLPE, and the XLPE/EAA–Na blends retained excellent mechanical properties and dielectric properties. Moreover, through the characterization of XLPE/EAA–Na blends with Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, dynamic mechanical analysis, and scanning electron microscopy, it was found that the neutralization reaction could be achieved completely; the XLPE and EAA–Na ionomers were partially compatible, so the EAA–Na ionomers could be dispersed well in the matrix with the process examined in this study. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3483–3490, 2007     

Preparation and characterization of poly(methyl methacrylate) beads

The phase behavior of Poly(ethylene terephthalate)/Poly(ethylene‐2,6‐naphthalate)/Poly(ethylene terephthalate‐co‐ethylene‐2,6‐naphthalate) (PET/PEN/P(ET‐co‐EN)) ternary blends in molten state was evaluated from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and NMR results as well as optical microscopic observations. Copolymer of ethylene terephthalate and ethylene‐2,6‐naphthalate was prepared by a condensation polymerization, which was a random copolymer with an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of 0.3 dL/g. The phase diagram of the ternary blends revealed that the miscibility of ternary blends in molten state was dependent on the fraction of P(ET‐co‐EN) in the blends and holding time of the blends at high temperatures above 280°C. With increase in the holding time, the fraction of copolymer in the blends necessary to induce the immiscible to miscible transition decreased. For the blends with longer holding time at 280°C, the phase diagram in molten state was irreversible against the temperature, although a reversibility was found for the blends with short holding time of 1 min at 280°C. The irreversibility of phase behavior was not explained simply by the increase of copolymer content produced during heat treatment. Complex irreversible physical and chemical interactions between components and change of phase structure of the blend in the molten state might influence on the irreversibility. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Compatibilization of polypropylene/ poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) blends

Blending polypropylene (PP) with biodegradable poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) can be a nice alternative to minimize the disposal problem of PP and the intrinsic brittleness that restricts PHB applications. However, to achieve acceptable engineering properties, the blend needs to be compatibilized because of the immiscibility between PP and PHB. In this work, PP/PHB blends were prepared with different types of copolymers as possible compatibilizers: poly(propylene‐g‐maleic anhydride) (PP–MAH), poly (ethylene‐co‐methyl acrylate) [P(E–MA)], poly(ethylene‐co‐glycidyl methacrylate) [P(E–GMA)], and poly(ethylene‐co‐methyl acrylate‐co‐glycidyl methacrylate) [P(E–MA–GMA)]. The effect of each copolymer on the morphology and mechanical properties of the blends was investigated. The results show that the compatibilizers efficiency decreased in this order: P(E–MA–GMA) > P(E–MA) > P(E–GMA) > PP–MAH; we explained this by taking into consideration the affinity degree of the compatibilizers with the PP matrix, the compatibilizers properties, and their ability to provide physical and/or reactive compatibilization with PHB. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

pH and thermo‐responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) copolymer grafted to poly(ethylene glycol)

pH and thermo‐responsive graft copolymers are reported where thermo‐responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) [poly(NIPAAm), poly A ], poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐2‐(diethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) [poly(NIPAAm‐co‐DEA), poly B ], and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐methacrylic acid) [poly(NIPAAm‐co‐MAA), poly C ] have been installed to benzaldehyde grafted polyethylene glycol (PEG) back bone following introducing a pH responsive benzoic‐imine bond. All the prepared graft copolymers for PEG‐g‐poly(NIPAAm) [ P‐N1 ], PEG‐g‐poly(NIPAAm‐co‐DEA) [ P‐N2 ], and PEG‐g‐poly(NIPAAm‐co‐MAA) [ P‐N3 ] were characterized by ¹H‐NMR to assure the successful synthesis of the expected polymers. Molecular weight of all synthesized polymers was evaluated following gel permeation chromatography. The lower critical solution temperature of graft copolymers varied significantly when grafted to benzaldehyde containing PEG and after further functionalization of copolymer based poly(NIPAAm). The contact angle experiment showed the changes in hydrophilic/hydrophobic behavior when the polymers were exposed to different pH and temperature. Particle size measurement investigation by dynamic light scattering was performed to rectify thermo and pH responsiveness of all prepared polymers. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Poly(ethylene‐co‐methacrylic acid)–lithium ionomer as a compatibilizer for poly(ethylene terephthalate)/linear low‐density polyethylene blends

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) blends (75/25), with contents of poly(ethylene‐co‐methacrylic acid) partially neutralized with lithium (PEMA–Li) that were systematically changed from 0 to 45% relative to the LLDPE, were obtained by direct injection molding in an attempt to (1) ameliorate the performance of the binary blend and (2) find the best compatibilizer content. PEMA–Li did not modify the PET or LLDPE amorphous‐phase compositions or the crystalline content of PET. However, PEMA–Li did lead to a nucleation effect and to the presence of a second smaller and less perfect crystalline structure. PET induced a fractional crystallization in LLDPE that remained in the presence of PEMA–Li and reduced the crystallinity of LLDPE. The ternary blends showed two similar dispersed LLDPE and PEMA–Li phases with small subparticles, probably PET, inside. The compatibilizing effect of PEMA–Li was clearly shown by the impressive increase in the break strain, along with only small decreases in the modulus of elasticity and in the tensile strength. With respect to the recycling possibilities of LLDPE, a ternary blend with the addition of 22.5% PEMA–Li, which led to very slight modulus and yield stress decreases with respect to the binary blend and a break strain increase of 480%, appeared to be the most attractive. However, the highest property improvement appeared with the addition of 37.5% PEMA–Li, which led to elasticity modulus and tensile strength decreases of only 9%, along with a very high break strain increase (760%). © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 1322–1328, 2003     

A lithium ionomer of poly(ethylene‐co‐methacrylic acid) copolymer as compatibilizer for blends of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and high density polyethylene

Blends of 75/25 poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/high density polyethylene (HDPE) containing poly(ethylene‐co‐methacrylic acid) partially neutralized with lithium (PEMA‐Li) were obtained by direct injection molding in an attempt (i) to ameliorate the poor performance of the binary blend and (ii) to find the best compatibilizer content. The presence of PEMA‐Li caused a nucleation effect on PET, and a decrease in the crystalline content of HDPE. The compatibilizing effect of PEMA‐Li was due to the combined effects of interaction at the interface and chemical reactions. The ternary blends showed a complex morphology, with two dispersed HDPE and PEMA‐Li phases that contained a small internal dispersed phase, probably of PET. The compatibilizing effect of PEMA‐Li was clearly shown by means of an impressive increase in the ductility and to a minor extent in the impact strength. The highest property improvement (ductility increase 1450%) appeared upon the addition of 45% PEMA‐Li with respect to the HDPE phase, but taking into account the recycling interest, the ternary blend with the addition of roughly 22.5% PEMA‐Li appears to be the most attractive.     

Blends of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide)/ poly(styrene-co-methacrylic acid)/ poly(ethyl methacrylate-co-4-vinylpyridine)

Summary The miscibility of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) with poly(styrene-co-acrylic acid) (SAA) or poly(styrene-co-methacrylic acid) (SMA) containing respectively up to 22 mol % of acrylic or methacrylic acid was studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry and viscosimetry. All PPO/SAA or PPO/SMA blends containing 60% or less by weight of PPO were miscible and showed only one glass transition temperature (Tg). Above 60% of PPO, two Tg's were however observed for the blends in which the acid content in the SAA or SMA reaches 20% or 12% by mole respectively; the higher Tg is slightly lower than the one of pure PPO, while the lower one corresponds to a miscible blend of lower content of PPO.A DSC study showed that depending on the blend ratio, two or three glass transition temperatures were observed when a copolymer of ethyl methacrylate containing 8 mol % of 4-vinylpyridine (EM4VP-8) was added to miscible PPO/SMA-12 blends. The PPO dissolution in the SMA-12 copolymer was affected by the specific interactions that occurred between this latter copolymer and the EM4VP-8.     

Blends of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and low density polyethylene containing aluminium: A material obtained from packaging recycling

Composites of polyethylene and aluminium (PEAL) may be obtained from the recycling of postconsumed Tetra Pak aseptic packaging. The components of the composite are low density polyethylene (LDPE), aluminium and an ethylene‐methacrylic acid random copolymer (EMAA). The presence of metallic filler and a functionalized copolymer, which may act as a compatibilizer, suggests that blending PEAL with other thermoplastic would be a way to obtain reinforced and compatibilized blends from recycled materials. Blends of PEAL and recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) were prepared in the compositions of 30, 50, and 70 wt % of PET in a twin‐screw extruder. Blends of PET/LDPE and PET/EMAA were also prepared for comparison. The morphological analysis showed that the PET/PEAL blends present an excellent interfacial adhesion, similar to the PET/EMAA blend. The improvement of adhesion in comparison with the PET/LDPE blend is a result of the interaction between polar groups of PET and EMAA. PET/PEAL blends presented lower elongation at break and impact strength than the other blends whereas Young modulus was higher. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Melt‐state miscibility of poly(ethylene‐co‐1‐octene) and linear polyethylene

On purpose to examine the effect of branch length on the miscibility of polyolefin blends, miscibility behavior of linear polyethylene/poly(ethylene‐co‐1‐octene) blend was studied and compared to that of linear polyethylene/poly(ethylene‐co‐1‐butene) blend. Miscibility of the blend was determined by observing the morphology quenched from the melt, and by using the relation between interaction parameter and copolymer composition. When the weight composition and molecular weight was the same, poly(ethylene‐co‐1‐octene) was slightly more miscible with linear polyethylene than poly(ethylene‐co‐1‐butene) was. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

The phase behavior and thermal stability of blends of poly(styrene‐co‐methacrylic acid)/poly(styrene‐co‐ 4‐vinylpyridine)

The hydrogen bonding and miscibility behaviors of poly(styrene‐co‐methacrylic acid) (PSMA20) containing 20% of methacrylic acid with copolymers of poly(styrene‐co‐4‐vinylpyridine) (PS4VP) containing 5, 15, 30, 40, and 50%, respectively, of 4‐vinylpyridine were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). It was shown that all the blends have a single glass transition over the entire composition range. The obtained T_gs of PSMA20/PS4VP blends containing an excess amount of PS4VP, above 15% of 4VP in the copolymer, were found to be significantly higher than those observed for each individual component of the mixture, indicating that these blends are able to form interpolymer complexes. The FTIR study reveals presence of intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interaction between vinylpyridine nitrogen atom and the hydroxyl of MMA group and intensifies when the amount of 4VP is increased in PS4VP copolymers. A new band characterizing these interactions at 1724 cm⁻¹ was observed. In addition, the quantitative FTIR study carried out for PSMA20/PS4VP blends was also performed for the methacrylic acid and 4‐vinylpyridine functional groups. The TGA study confirmed that the thermal stability of these blends was clearly improved. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Polymer–metal composite particles: Metal particles on poly(St‐co‐MAA) microspheres

Poly(styrene‐co‐methacrylic acid) P(St‐co‐MAA) microspheres with a monodisperse size distribution were prepared by emulsifier‐free emulsion copolymerization of St and MAA. The effects of MAA content on the polymerization rate and the content of MAA in the copolymer were investigated by gravimetrical and IR methods, respectively. The results of XPS measurement indicated the presence of a carboxyl functional group. By chemical metal deposition, nickel or palladium particles were formed and deposited on the surface of P(St‐co‐MAA) microspheres to form P(St‐co‐MAA)Ni or P(St‐co‐MAA)Pd composite particles. XRD measurement and TEM observation confirmed that nickel and palladium metal particles in a small size (20–40 nm) were distributed on surface of the copolymer microspheres. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 75: 1693–1698, 2000     

Competitive hydrogen bonding mechanisms underlying phase behavior of triple poly(N‐vinyl pyrrolidone)–poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(methacrylic acid‐co‐ethylacrylate) blends

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of triple blends of high molecular weight poly(N‐vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) with oligomeric poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) of molecular weight 400 g/mol and copolymer of methacrylic acid with ethylacrylate (PMAA‐co‐EA) demonstrates partial miscibility of polymer components, which is due to formation of interpolymer hydrogen bonds (reversible crosslinking). Because both PVP and PMAA‐co‐EA are amorphous polymers and PEG exhibits crystalline phase, the DSC examination is informative on the phase state of PEG in the triple blends and reveals a strong competition between PEG and PMAA‐co‐EA for interaction with PVP. The hydrogen bonding in the triple PVP–PEG–PMAA‐co‐EA blends has been established with FTIR Spectroscopy. To evaluate the relative strengths of hydrogen bonded complexes in PVP–PEG–PMAA‐co‐EA blends, quantum‐chemical calculations were performed. According to this analysis, the energy of H‐bonding has been found to diminish in the order: PVP–PMAA‐co‐EA–PEG(OH) > PVP–(OH)PEG(OH)–PVP > PVP–H₂O > PVP–PEG(OH) > PMAA‐co‐EA–PEG(? O? ) > PVP–PMAA‐co‐EA > PMAA‐co‐EA–PEG(OH). Thus, most stable complexes are the triple PVP–PMAA‐co‐EA–PEG(OH) complex and the complex wherein comparatively short PEG chains form simultaneously two hydrogen bonds to PVP carbonyl groups through both terminal OH‐groups, acting as H‐bonding crosslinks between longer PVP backbones. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Effects of ionomer characteristics on reactions and properties of poly(lactic acid) ternary blends prepared by reactive blending

Toughening of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was studied by reactive blending PLA with ethylene/n-butyl acrylate/glycidyl methacrylate (EBA-GMA) terpolymer and zinc ion-containing ionomer. The ionomer was prepared by neutralizing the ethylene/methacrylic acid copolymer (EMAA), i.e., ionomer precursor, with ZnO. The reactive interfacial compatibilization between PLA and EBA-GMA and the crosslinking of EBA-GMA during blending was studied in detail. Fractography and FT-IR analysis indicated that both the degree of neutralization (DN) of ionomer and methacrylic acid (MAA) content of ionomer precursor exhibited significant effects on interfacial compatibilization. Dynamic mechanical analysis also suggested that the crosslinking level of EBA-GMA varied with these two factors. Particle size and polydispersity of the dispersed phase were measured by image analysis of TEM micrographs of the ternary blends and correlated with the impact strength of the blends and the characteristics of the ionomer. Ionomers derived from precursor of high MAA content and/or having high DN tended to yield superior impact strength of the PLA blends.     

Synthesis and characterization of porous poly(methacrylic acid‐co‐triethylene glycol dimethacrylate) by seed emulsion polymerization

Porous poly(methacrylic acid‐co‐triethylene glycol dimethacrylate) (poly MAA‐co‐3G) particles in the size range of 10–40 μm were prepared via seed emulsion polymerization. Mixtures of linear polymer, solvent, and/or nonsolvent were used as inert diluents. The prepared porous polymer was converted using hydroxylamine hydrochloride and sodium methoxide into the corresponding poly(hydroxamic acid). The surface area of the porous copolymer particles was determined colorimetrically. The effect of the diluent type and concentration on the surface area of the prepared porous polymer was examined. The metal ion absorption capacity of the resin toward the different metal ions was examined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The thermal stability of the polymers was examined by thermal gravimetric analysis. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 1209–1215, 2000