HYDROGEN-BONDED POLYMER BLENDS AND THE DESIGN OF MISCIBLE POLYMERIC ANTIOXIDANTS

The relative magnitude of the equilibrium constants describing self-as sociation versus inter-association is an important factor in determini ng the phase behavior of polymers that hydrogen bond. In studies of st erically hindered phenolics we have found that poly(2,6-diisopropyl-4 vinylphenol) (PDIPP) only moderately self-associates, but strongly int er-associates with polymers containing groups such as ester carbonyls, ether oxygens, and the like. PDIPP is miscible with polytetrahydrofur an (PTHF) and simultaneously acts as an efficient polymeric antioxidan t. This result points the way to the design of specific miscible polym eric antioxidants for polar polymers.