TERNARY HYDROGEN-BONDED POLYMER-SOLUTIONS

Ternary-phase diagrams have been experimentally determined at 100 degr ees C for systems containing a series of poly(n-alkyl methacrylates), poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), and a solvent [4-ethyl phenol (EPh)]. A to tally miscible phase diagram is experimentally determined for the poly (methyl methacrylate)/PEO/EPh system, while a closed-loop diagram is o bserved for the analogous system containing poly(ethyl methacrylate). The corresponding phase diagrams of analogous mixtures containing poly (n-propyl methacrylate) or poly(n-butyl methacrylate) exhibit large he terogeneous areas. Theoretically predicted phase diagrams calculated u sing an association model developed in our laboratory are in general a ccord with these observations for ternary hydrogen-bonded polymer/poly mer solutions. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 70: 1 265-1271, 1998.