Compatibilizing effects of poly(ethylene-block-methyl methacrylate) on blends of polyethylene and poly(4-vinylphenol)

Compatibilizing effects of polyethylene-poly(methyl methacrylate) diblock c opolymer (P(E-b-MMA)) on immiscible blends of polyethylene (PE) and poly-4- vinylphenol (PVPh) have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy ( SEM) and optical microscopy (OM). In OM observation, it was found that ther e was coalescence of the PVPh particles in the PE/PVPh blends without P(E-b -MMA) at 180 degrees C. On the contrary, the coalescence of the PVPh partic les was not observed in the PE/PVPh blends added with P(E-b-MMA) at 180 deg rees C. In addition in the SEM observation, when small amount of P(E-b-MMA) are added to the PE/PVPh blends, the size of PVPh particles decreased dras tically and their size distribution become narrower with increasing P(E-b-M MA) content. Therefore it has been concluded that P(E-b-MMA) acts as the co mpatibilizer in the PE/PVPh blends. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All righ ts reserved.