INTERACTION ENERGIES IN POLYMER POLYMER MIXTURES/

In the application of the lattice fluid theory to explain and simulate thermodynamic functions and phase diagrams of polymeric mixtures invo lving both homo- and copolymers, the only adjustable parameter is the so-called characteristic interaction energy density Delta P. In this paper, we present a test of consistency between the Delta P values ob tained from phase diagrams and from retention specific volumes determi ned by inverse gas chromatography. Measurements have been done on a bl end of poly(vinyl methyl ether) and poly(hydroxy ether of bisphenol A) , which exhibits an LCST-type phase diagram. The previously reported D elta P temperature dependence seems to be verified. Another interesti ng conclusion is the dominant role played by Delta P in the thermodyn amic functions describing the miscibility of the mixture. (C) 1997 Els evier Science Ltd.