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Semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks with controllable morphology ‐ arrest of demixing by thermoreversible gelation
Author(s) -
De Graaf Leontine A.,
Möller Martin
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 1022-1360
DOI - 10.1002/masy.19940770118
Subject(s) - materials science , polystyrene , polymer , polymerization , morphology (biology) , phase (matter) , chemical engineering , polymer chemistry , spinodal , monomer , methacrylate , composite material , chemistry , organic chemistry , genetics , engineering , biology
Semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks with well defined morphologies were obtained using a three‐step process, separating morphology formation and polymerization/crosslinking. Different phase textures were formed when (spinodal) liquid/liquid demixing of a solution of atactic polystyrene in methacrylate monomers was arrested by thermoreversible gelation (vitrification) of the polymer‐rich phase at a desired stage. Subsequent UV‐polymerization of the methacrylate allowed to study the morphology by transmission electron microscopy. Phase diagrams of polymer solutions with low and high viscosities are reported. Depending on the initial solution viscosities and the applied cooling conditions, morphologies both with a dispersed as well with a continuous polystyrene phase could be obtained at PS concentrations already below 10 %. Mechanical measurements indicated only partial demixing in the semi‐IPN's.