Solubility prediction of gases in polymers using fuzzy neural network based on particle swarm optimization algorithm and clustering method

A four‐layer fuzzy neural network (FNN) model combining particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm and clustering method is proposed to predict the solubility of gases in polymers, hereafter called the CPSO‐FNN, which combined fuzzy theory's better adaptive ability, neural network's capability of nonlinear and PSO algorithm's global search ability. In this article, the CPSO‐FNN model has been employed to investigate solubility of CO₂ in polystyrene, N₂ in polystyrene, and CO₂ in polypropylene, respectively. Results obtained in this work indicate that the proposed CPSO‐FNN is an effective method for the prediction of gases solubility in polymers. Meanwhile, compared with traditional FNN, this method shows a better performance on predicting gases solubility in polymers. The values of average relative deviation, squared correlation coefficient (R²) and standard deviation are 0.135, 0.9936, and 0.0302, respectively. The statistical data demonstrate that the CPSO‐FNN has an outstanding prediction accuracy and an excellent correlation between prediction values and experimental data. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Synthesis,characterization, and properties of biodegradable poly(butylene succinate) modified with imide dihydric alcohol

A series of high molecular weight poly (butylene succinate) and its copolyester containing rigid imide units were synthesized in this article. The chemical structure and composition of the copolyesters were determined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FT‐IR). The thermal properties, crystallization behavior and mechanical properties of polymers were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and mechanical testing. The enzymatic degradation was investigated using pancreatic lipase solution. The results showed that the melting temperature (T_m) of the copolyester decreased with the increment in pyromellitic imide unit content. However, the thermal degradation temperature (5% decomposition temperature) changed little. Meanwhile, the enzymatic degradation rate of poly (butylene succinate) was enhanced. The mechanical properties showed that the tensile strength had a trend of decrease, but the elongation at break was improved with the increment in imide units. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40807.     

Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable poly(butylene succinate‐co‐propylene succinate)s

Biodegradable polyesters such as poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), poly(propylene succinate) (PPS), and poly(butylene succinate‐co‐propylene succinate)s (PBSPSs) were synthesized respectively, from 1,4‐succinic acid with 1,4‐butanediol and 1,3‐propanediol through a two‐step process of esterification and polycondensation in this article. The composition and physical properties of both homopolyesters and copolyesters were investigated via ¹H NMR, DSC, TGA, POM, AFM, and WAXD. The copolymer composition was in good agreement with that expected from the feed composition of the reactants. The melting temperature (T_m), crystallization temperature (T_c), crystallinity (X), and thermal decomposition temperature (T_d) of these polyesters decreased gradually as the content of propylene succinate unit increased. PBSPS copolyesters showed the same crystal structure as the PBS homopolyester. Besides the normal extinction crosses under the polarizing optical microscope, the double‐banded extinction patterns with periodic distance along the radial direction were also observed in the spherulites of PBS and PBSPS. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Macromolecular design of novel sulfur‐containing copolyesters with promising mechanical properties

The miscibility of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS)/poly(butylene thiodiglycolate) (PBTDG) blends was investigated by DSC technique. PBS and PBTDG were completely immiscible in as blended‐state, as evidenced by the presence of two T_gs at ?34 and ?48°C, respectively. The miscibility changes upon mixing at elevated temperature: the original two phases merged into a single one because of transesterification reactions. Poly(butylene succinate/thiodiglycolate) block copolymers, prepared by reactive blending of the parent homopolymers, were studied to investigate the effects of transesterification reactions on the molecular structure and solid‐state properties. ¹³C‐NMR analysis evidenced the formation of copolymers whose degree of randomness increased with mixing time. Thermal characterization results showed that all the samples were semicrystalline, with a soft rubbery amorphous phase and a rigid crystal phase whose amount decreased by introducing BTDG units into the PBS chain (20 ≤ χ_c ≤ 41). Lastly, the mechanical properties were found strictly related to crystallinity degree (χ_c), the random copolymer, exhibiting the lowest elastic modulus (E = 61 MPa) and the highest deformation at break (ε_b (%) = 713). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Pressure‐volume‐temperature behavior of polylactide,poly(butylene succinate), and poly(butylene succinate‐co‐adipate)

Pressure‐Volume‐Temperature (PVT) behavior of three biodegradable polymers, Polylactide, poly(butylene succinate), and poly(butylene succinate‐co‐adipate), was measured at temperatures from 313 to 493 K and pressures up to 200 MPa. The PVF data in molten state were compared with predicted values of a group contribution modified cell model equation of state (GCMCM EOS). It was found that the GCMCM EOS coupled with one specific volume datum at atmospheric pressure could predict the PVT of the polymer melts to within 0.46% in an average relative deviation of specific volume.     

Sulfonated poly(butylene succinate) as a pseudo‐random copolymer: effect of sulfonate groups on microstructure and thermal behavior

The positional effect of sulfonate groups on poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) microstructure was investigated. In this regard, unsaturated poly(butylene fumarate) (PBF) and poly(butylene succinate‐ran‐fumarate) copolymers, synthesized via esterification/polycondensation reactions, were modified through post‐polymerization modification. The progress of the PBF sulfonation reaction was analyzed via ¹H NMR, dynamic light scattering and field emission SEM. The microstructure and thermal behavior of the functional polyesters were studied through DSC, TGA, elemental analysis and ¹H NMR. Based on the results, the sulfonation reaction of unsaturated polymer chains, which are not experiencing a phase separation, is instantaneous, but sulfonation of the chains that have formed colloidal particles is a time‐consuming process. Surprisingly, the outcomes of ¹H NMR analysis revealed a kind of heterogeneity along the fully sulfonated PBS backbone, similar to what is usually observed for copolymers. This is due to the ability of sulfonate groups to locate in different sites and create various block types. Due to the attraction between sulfonate groups, they tend to attach to the chain such that they provide the greatest number of second type blocks (containing two sulfonate groups). The randomness of sulfonated polymers after the sulfonation reaction was increased compared to that of the corresponding unsaturated copolymers. Increasing the content of sulfonate groups also led to a significant decrease in the thermal resistance (ca 120 °C) and crystallinity, along with a dramatic increase in ash content and T_g (up to 156 °C). © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis of novel biodegradable poly(butylene succinate) copolyesters composing of isosorbide and poly(ethylene glycol)

A series of biodegradable isosorbide‐based copolyesters poly(butylene succinate‐co‐isosorbide succinate‐co‐polyethyleneoxide succinate) (PB_xI_yE_zS) were synthesized via bulk polycondensation in the presence of dimethyl succinate (DMS), 1,4‐butanediol (BDO), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and isosorbide (ISO). The crystallization behaviors, crystal structure and spherulite morphology of the copolyesters were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and polarizing optical microscopy (POM), respectively. The results indicate that the crystallization behavior of the copolyesters was influenced by the content of isosorbide succinate (IS) and polyethyleneoxide succinate (PEOS) units, which further tuned the mechanical and biodegradable properties of the copolyesters. The PB_xI_yE_zS copolyesters, compared to pure poly(butylene succinate), showed lower crystallization temperature, melting temperature, degree of crystallinity and degradation rate while a significant increase in glass transition temperature with increasing isosorbide content. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Hydrolytic degradation of biobased poly(butylene succinate‐co‐furandicarboxylate) and poly(butylene adipate‐co‐furandicarboxylate) copolyesters under mild conditions

It is indispensable to investigate hydrolytic degradation behavior to develop novel (bio)degradable polyesters. Biobased and biodegradable copolyesters poly(butylene adipate‐co ‐butylene furandicarboxylate) (PBAF) and poly(butylene succinate‐co ‐butylene furandicarboxylate) (PBSF) with BF molar fraction (?_BF) between 40 and 60% were synthesized in this study. The hydrolytic degradation of film samples was conducted in a pH 7.0 PBS buffer solution at 25 °C. Slight mass loss (1–2%) but significant decrease in intrinsic viscosity (35–44%) was observed after 22 weeks. The apparent hydrolytic degradation rate decreased with increasing ?_BF and initial crystallinity. Meanwhile, PBAFs degraded slightly faster than PBSFs with the same composition. The ?_BF and crystallinity increased slowly with degradation time, suggesting the aliphatic moiety and the amorphous region are more susceptible to hydrolysis. And high enough tensile properties were retained after hydrolysis degradation, indicating PBAF and PBSF copolyesters are hydrolytically degradable, with tunable hydrolytic degradation rate and good balance between hydrolytic degradability and durability. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134 , 44674.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(urethane‐ester)s based on calcium salt of mono(hydroxybutyl)phthalate

Calcium‐containing poly(urethane‐ester)s (PUEs) were prepared by reacting diisocyanate (HMDI or TDI) with a mixture of calcium salt of mono(hydroxybutyl)phthalate [Ca(HBP)₂] and hydroxyl‐terminated poly(1,4‐butylene glutarate) [HTPBG₁₀₀₀], using di‐n‐butyltin‐dilaurate as catalyst. About six calcium‐containing PUEs having different composition were synthesized by taking the mole ratio of Ca(HBP)₂:HTPBG₁₀₀₀:diisocyanate (HMDI or TDI) as 3:1:4, 2:2:4, and 1:3:4. Two blank PUEs were synthesized by the reaction of HTPBG₁₀₀₀ with diisocyanate (HMDI or TDI). The polymers were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, Solid state ¹³C‐CP‐MAS NMR, TGA, DSC, XRD, solubility, and viscosity studies. The T_g value of PUEs increases with increase in the calcium content and decreases with increase in soft segment content. The viscosity of the calcium‐containing PUEs increases with increase in the soft segment content and decreases with increase in the calcium content. X‐ray diffraction patterns of the polymers show that the HMDI‐based polymers are partially crystalline and TDI‐based polymers are amorphous in nature. The dynamic mechanical analysis of the calcium‐containing PUEs based on HMDI shows that with increase in the calcium content of polymer, modulus (g′ and g″) increases at any given temperature. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 1720–1727, 2006     

Aliphatic–aromatic poly(butylene carbonate‐co‐terephthalate) random copolymers: Synthesis,cocrystallization, and composition‐dependent properties

A series of aliphatic–aromatic poly(carbonate‐co‐ester)s poly(butylene carbonate‐co‐terephthalate)s (PBCTs), with weight‐average molecular weight of 113,000 to 146,000 g/mol, were synthesized from dimethyl carbonate, dimethyl terephthalate, and 1,4‐butanediol via a two‐step polycondensation process using tetrabutyl titanate as the catalyst. The PBCTs, being statistically random copolymers, show a single T_g over the entire composition range. The thermal stability of PBCTs strongly depends on the molar composition. Melting temperatures vary from 113 to 213°C for copolymers with butylene terephthalate (BT) unit content higher than 40 mol %. The copolymers have a eutectic melting point when about 10 mol % BT units are included. Crystal lattice structure shifts from the poly(butylene carbonate) to the poly(butylene terephthalate) type crystal phase with increasing BT unit content. DSC and WAXD results indicate that the PBCT copolymers show isodimorphic cocrystallization. The tensile modulus and strength decrease first and then increase according to copolymer composition. The enzymatic degradation of the PBCT copolymers was also studied. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41952.     

Synthesis and evaluation of biodegradable segmented multiblock poly(ether ester) copolymers for biomaterial applications

Based on 1,4‐succinic acid, 1,4‐butanediol, poly(ethylene glycol)s and dimethyl terephthalate, biodegradable segmented multiblock copolymers of poly[(butylene terephthalate)‐co‐poly(butylene succinate)‐block‐poly(ethylene glycol)] (PTSG) were synthesized with different poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) molar fractions and varying the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) segment length, and were evaluated as biomedical materials. The copolymer extracts showed no in vitro cytotoxicity. However, sterilization of the copolymers by gamma irradiation had some limited effect on the cytotoxicity and mechanical properties. A copolymer consisting of PEG‐1000 and 20 mol% PBS, assigned as 1000PBS20 after SO₂ gas plasma treatment, sustained the adhesion and growth of dog vascular smooth muscle cells. The in vivo biocompatibility of this sample was also measured subcutaneously in rats for 4 weeks. The assessments indicated that these poly(ether ester) copolymers are good candidates for anti‐adhesion barrier and drug controlled‐release applications. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Solid‐state polymerization and characterization of a copolyamide based on adipic acid, 1,4‐butanediamine,and 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid

2,5‐Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is a promising biobased alternative material to terephthalic acid. In this study, three types of poly(butylene adipamide) (PA‐4,6) containing 10, 20, and 30 mol % of poly(butylene‐2,5‐furandicarboxylamide) (PA‐4,F) were synthesized through consecutive prepolymerization and solid‐state polymerization (SSP). The incorporation of a 10 mol % PA‐4,F component into PA‐4,6 resulted in slight increases in the intrinsic viscosity (IV) and glass‐transition temperature (T_g) after 12 h of SSP at 220 °C. When the SSP temperature and reaction time increased, IV increased proportionally. The highest IV value of 0.75 was obtained by 48 h of SSP at 240 °C, whereas increases in the PA‐4,F content to 20 and 30 mol % gave rise to decreases in IV, T_g, and melting temperature; this interrupted the increase in SSP temperature. The thermal decomposition temperature of the PA‐4,F‐incorporated polyamide was lower than that with PA‐4,6 because of the lower thermal stability of the FDCA component. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43391.     

Catalyzed chain extension of poly(butylene adipate) and poly(butylene succinate) with 2,2′‐(1,4‐phenylene)‐bis(2‐oxazoline)

Low‐molecular‐weight HOOC‐terminated poly(butylene adipate) prepolymer (PrePBA) and poly(butylene succinate) prepolymer (PrePBS) were synthesized through melt‐condensation polymerization from adipic acid or succinic acid with butanediol. The catalyzed chain extension of these prepolymers was carried out at 180–220°C with 2,2′‐(1,4‐phenylene)‐bis(2‐oxazoline) as a chain extender and p‐toluenesulfonic acid (p‐TSA) as a catalyst. Higher molecular weight polyesters were obtained from the catalyzed chain extension than from the noncatalyzed one. However, an improperly high amount of p‐TSA and a high temperature caused branching or a crosslinking reaction. Under optimal conditions, chain‐extended poly(butylene adipate) (PBA) with a number‐average molecular weight up to 29,600 and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) with an intrinsic viscosity of 0.82 dL/g were synthesized. The chain‐extended polyesters were characterized by IR spectroscopy, ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis, wide‐angle X‐ray scattering, and tensile testing. DSC, wide‐angle X‐ray scattering, and thermogravimetric analysis characterization showed that the chain‐extended PBA and PBS had lower melting temperatures and crystallinities and slower crystallization rates and were less thermally stable than PrePBA and PrePBS. This deterioration of their properties was not harmful enough to impair their thermal processing properties and should not prevent them from being used as biodegradable thermoplastics. The tensile strength of the chain‐extended PBS was about 31.05 MPa. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Effects of monomer composition on physical properties and enzymatic hydrolyzability of poly(butylene succinate-co-hexamethylene succinate)s

In this study, various biodegradable materials, including poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), poly(hexamethylene succinate) (PHS), and poly(butylene succinate-co-hexamethylene succinate)s (P[BS-co-HS]s) containing different hexamethylene succinate (HS) contents, were prepared. The compositions, thermal properties, mechanical properties, hydrophilicity, and enzymatic hydrolyzability of the materials were investigated by various techniques. The results showed that the composition of the copolyesters was similar to the feeding ratio of the reactants. The melting and crystallization temperatures, thermal stability, and degree of crystallinity of the copolyesters decreased for low HS content and increased for high HS content. P(BS-co-HS)s containing 52 mol% HS exhibited low crystallization temperature (T_c), melting temperature (T_m), degree of crystallinity (X_c), and high hydrophilicity, elongation at break and enzymatic hydrolyzability. We also observed that low degree of crystallinity and high crystal defects, hydrophilicity, and high elongation at break could improve the enzymatic hydrolyzability of the materials.     

Synthesis,characterization and properties of novel biodegradable multiblock copolymers comprising poly(butylene succinate) and poly(1,2‐propylene terephthalate) with hexamethylene diisocyanate as a chain extender

In this exploration of novel biodegradable polyesters, multiblock copolymers based on poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly(1,2‐propylene terephthalate) (PPT) were successfully synthesized with hexamethylene diisocyanate as a chain extender. The amorphous and rigid PPT segment was chosen to modify PBS. The structures of the polymers were characterized using ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction; the physical properties were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, mechanical testing and enzymatic degradation. The results indicate that the copolymers possess satisfactory mechanical and thermal properties, with impact strength 186% higher than that of PBS homopolymer, while tensile strength, flexural strength, thermal stability and melting point (T_m) are slightly decreased. Crystallization and biodegradation rates are still acceptable at 5 wt% PPT, although they are decreased by the introduction of PPT. The addition of appropriate amounts of PPT can improve the impact strength effectively without an obviously deleterious effect on tensile strength, flexural strength, thermal stability, T_m, crystallization rate and biodegradability. This study describes a convenient route to novel multiblock copolymers comprising crystallizable aliphatic and amorphous aromatic polyesters, which are promising for commercialization as biodegradable materials. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Flexible and flame‐retardant S‐SEB‐S triblock copolymer/PPE nano‐alloy

We observed that modified polyphenylene ether (PPE) was solubilized in thermoplastic styrenic elastomer (TPS) and that a two‐phase lacy structure formed on nanometer scales when the TPS composition was 67 wt % and modified PPE and polystyrene‐block‐poly(styrene‐co‐ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐block‐polystyrene (S‐SEB‐S triblock copolymer) were blended. However, the molecular weight of the outer PS block segments M_outPS and the content of the outer PS block segments ?_outPS were <10,000 g/mol and 20 wt %, respectively. The resulting S‐SEB‐S/modified PPE nano‐alloy exhibited both flexibility and flame retardancy, unlike other materials, where a trade‐off exists between these two properties; that is, the flame retardancy was excellent when the phosphorus additive was present. This combination of properties might be attributed to the two‐phase nanometer‐scale structure consisting of flame‐retardant styrene/PPE domains and a continuous soft, lacy SEB matrix. The results for polystyrene‐block‐poly(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐block‐polystyrene (S‐EB‐S triblock copolymer)/modified PPE blends were presented for comparison. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40446.     

Improved thermal and mechanical properties of poly(butylene succinate) by polymer blending with a thermotropic liquid crystalline polyester

A novel polymer blending system consisting of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and a thermotropic liquid crystalline polyester [LCP: a poly(4‐hydroxybenzoate)‐based polymer] was investigated in the presence and absence of a polycarbodiimide (PCD) and/or 1,1′‐carbonyl biscaprolactam (CBC) as chain extenders. Although the LCP was immiscible with PBS, it formed elongated fibrous domains having an orientation in the flowing direction when an extensional flow was applied during the processing. Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the injection‐molded polymer blends supported the distribution of micro fibrils of LCP in the PBS matrix by which the efficient toughening was provided. These blend specimens showed highly improved mechanical properties along with retaining high dynamic storage‐moduli (E′) up to the melting temperature of PBS. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39952.     

Enhanced solubility of novel poly(benzoxazole)s with a soft linkage and a rigid pendant group

Aromatic poly(benzoxazole)s are a class of rigid‐rod conjugated polymers. However, their poor solubility in organic solvents limits potential applications. Thus, a good method that can address this dilemma is needed, given that existing methods involve models with either poor solubility but good thermal stability or good solubility but poor thermal stability. In this paper we report a novel aromatic poly(benzoxazole) with a soft linkage and a rigid pendant group. Structural characterizations of the polymers via Fourier transform infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy reveal the formation of a benzoxazole ring and an imide ring. The introduction of rigid pendant groups improved the solubility and enhanced the thermal stability of the polymer, which was impaired by the incorporation of the soft linkage. Most of these polymers are soluble at room temperature or when heated in dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N‐dimethylformamide or N,N‐dimethylacetamide. Some polymers can even be dissolved in m‐cresol and tetrahydrofuran. A 10% weight loss in these polymers was observed at temperatures over 410 °C. Moreover, the incorporation of the imide pendant group increased the conjugation length of the polymer structural unit and accelerated electron delocalization. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Study of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) as an engineering thermoplastics material

Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) was systematically studied as an engineering thermoplastics material. Crystallization rates, crystalline degrees, and mechanical properties of two commercial PTT polymers and one glass fiber–reinforced PTT compound were investigated and compared with those of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT). PTT raw polymers have crystallization temperature (T_c) values around 152°C, and their kneaded polymers show T_c values of about 177°C, about 15°C lower than the values of PBT polymers used in this study. From the exothermic heat values of DSC measurements, both PTT and PBT show the crystalline degree order greater than 30%. Injection‐molded PTT specimens and PBT specimens exhibit crystalline degrees from 18 to 32% and 23.8 to 30%, respectively. PTT polymers show higher tensile and flexural strengths, but lower impact strengths and elongations than those of PBT polymers. The low elongation behavior of PTT does not change with the intrinsic viscosity and the molder temperature. PTT‐GF30 promotes better mechanical properties than those of PBT‐GF30, close to those of PET‐GF30. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 1657–1666, 2004     

Crystallization and melting behavior of biodegradable poly(ethylene succinate‐co‐6 mol % butylene succinate)

The crystallization, melting behavior, and spherulitic growth kinetics of biodegradable poly(ethylene succinate‐co‐6 mol % butylene succinate) [P(ES‐co‐6 mol % BS)] were investigated and compared with those of the homopolymer poly(ethylene succinate) (PES) in this work. The crystal structure of P(ES‐co‐6 mol % BS) was the same as that of neat PES, but the crystallinity decreased slightly because of the incorporation of the butylene succinate content. The glass‐transition temperature decreased slightly for P(ES‐co‐6 mol % BS) compared to that for neat PES. The melting point of P(ES‐co‐6 mol % BS) decreased apparently; moreover, the equilibrium melting point was also reduced. Two melting endotherms were found for P(ES‐co‐6 mol % BS) after isothermal crystallization; this was ascribed to the melting, recrystallization, and remelting mechanism. The spherulitic growth rate of P(ES‐co‐6 mol % BS) was slower than that of neat PES at a given crystallization temperature. Both neat PES and P(ES‐co‐6 mol % BS) exhibited a crystallization regime II to III transition; moreover, the crystallization regime transition temperature of P(ES‐co‐6 mol % BS) shifted to a low temperature compared with that of neat PES. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011