Blends containing amphiphilic polymers. II. Poly(N-1-alkyl itaconamic acids) with poly(4-vinylpyridine) and poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate)

The phase behavior of blends containing poly(N-1-alkyl itaconamic acids) (P NAIA) with poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VPy) and poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacryl ate) (PHPMA) were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), therm ogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectros copy. The results are analyzed in terms of the side-chain structure and the specific interactions involved, mainly due to the strong interacting group s present in the different polymers. The behaviors of the blends are discus sed in terms of the hydrophobic/hydrophilic ratio and the balance of the di fferent kinds of interactions involved. The strength of the interaction is analyzed in terms of the Gordon-Taylor and Couchman parameters. Miscibility over the whole range of composition for both families of blends is found. The variation of the glass transition T-g with composition together with th e FTIR spectra and thermogravimetric profiles show that the blends behave a s one-phase material.