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Droplet‐in‐Droplet Polymer Blend Microstructures: a Potential Route Toward the Recycling of Co‐mingled Plastics
Author(s) -
Le Corroller Pierre,
Favis Basil D.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/macp.201200297
Subject(s) - materials science , polymer , high density polyethylene , ultimate tensile strength , composite material , polymer blend , microstructure , composite number , copolymer , modulus , phase (matter) , ductility (earth science) , polyethylene , polymer chemistry , chemical engineering , chemistry , creep , organic chemistry , engineering
The problem of recycling co‐mingled plastics is primarily related to the problem of multiple interfaces in multicomponent immiscible polymer blends. Here, we study a new concept where thermodynamically driven polymer segregation and phase encapsulation are used to locate multiple phases within one of two major phases. Starting from a co‐continuous blend of HDPE and PP, hierarchically encapsulated PS/PMMA/PC composite droplets are found to be exclusively located within PP when the principal HDPE/PP interface is compatibilized. The mechanical properties of the structures demonstrate an improved tensile strength and modulus as well as ductility under the appropriate processing conditions. This approach has potential as a novel route toward the recycling of co‐mingled plastics.
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