Reactive compatibilization of PC/PVDF immiscible polymer blends by zinc carboxylate containing poly (methyl methacrylate) ionomers

Moussaif, N., Pagnoulle, C. and Jérôme, R. Reactive compatibilization of PC/PVDF immiscible polymer blends by zinc carboxylate containing poly (methyl methacrylate) ionomers. Polymer. 2000, Vol. 41/2000, p. 5551-2000.

<p>Polycarbonate (PC) has been reacted with a random copolymer of methylmethacrylate and 6 mol% of acrylic acid (poly(MMA-co-AA)) and with this copolymer neutralized (totally or not) by Zn cations. When conducted in solution at 2408C, the reaction leads to the grafting of PC onto the copolymer neutralized or not. In the melt at 2358C, the grafting reaction occurs only when the copolymer is at least partly neutralized. Whatever the experimental conditions (solution or bulk), PMMA does not react with PC, which confirms that the acidolysis of PC is at the origin of the grafting reaction. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and PC have been melt blended at 2358C in the presence of the poly(MMA-co-AA) copolymer totally neutralized or not by Zn cations, the purpose being the reactive formation of PMMA-g-PC copolymer that would act as compatibilizer for the PC/PVDF blend. The phase morphology and the mechanical properties of the compatibilized PC/PVDF blends have been compared with the parent non-reactive polyblends. Compared to the modification of PVDF by 20 wt% of PMMA, the use of 20 wt% of the partly neutralized poly(MMA-co-AA) copolymer decreases further the average size of the dispersed phase, enhances its adhesion to the matrix, and results in a considerable increase of the elongation at break. The beneficial effect of zinc carboxylate in the PMMA copolymer is explained by the grafting of PC onto PMMA at the interface. @2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Polycarbonate; Poly(vinylidene fluoride); Poly(MMA-co-AA) copolymer</p>