ULTRASONIC PRODUCTION OF BLOCK-COPOLYMERS AS IN-SITU COMPATIBILIZERS FOR POLYMER MIXTURES

The use of high-intensity ultrasound for forming copolymers by sonicat ion of mixtures of homopolymers is discussed. It is shown that the blo ck copolymers formed in situ by this method can be used to compatibili ze blends of immiscible polymers. The mixtures used in this preliminar y study were polystyrene with either poly(cis-butadiene) or poly(methy l phenyl silane). The sonochemical method was found to be convenient a nd easy to use compared with the usual procedure of adding preformed b lock copolymers as compatibilizing agents. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.