POLY(N-PHENYL-2-HYDROXYTRIMETHYLENE AMINE) - ITS BLENDS WITH POLY(EPSILON-CAPROLACTONE) AND WATER-SOLUBLE POLYETHERS

A new polymer with pendant hydroxyl groups, namely, poly(N-phenyl-2-hy droxytrimethylene amine) (PHA), was synthesized by a direct condensati on polymerization of aniline and epichlorohydrin in an alkaline medium . The new polymer is amorphous with a glass transition temperature (T- g) of 70 degrees C. Blends of PHA with poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL ), as well as with two water-soluble polyethers, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME), were prepared by casting fr om a common solvent. It was found that all the three blends were misci ble and showed a single, composition dependent glass transition temper ature (T-g). FTIR studies revealed that PHA can form hydrogen bonds wi th PCL, PEO, and PVME, which are driving forces for the miscibility of the blends. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.