Polymeric membrane materials for solution-diffusion based permeation separations

Polymers and polymeric composites have steadily reflected their importance in our daily life. Blending poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with a potentially useful natural biopolymers such as hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) seems to be an interesting way of preparing a polymeric blends. In the present work, blends of PVA/HPC of compositions (100/0, 90/10, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, and 0/100 wt/wt%) were prepared to be used as bioequivalent materials. Thermal analyses [differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)], and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed to characterize and reveal the miscibility map and the structural properties of such blend system. The obtained results of the thermal analyses showed variations in the glass transition temperature (Tg) indicating the miscibility of the blend systems. Moreover, the changes in the melting temperature (Tm), shape and area were attributed to the different degrees of crystallinity and the existence of polymer-polymer interactions between PVA and HPC molecules. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed broadening and sharpening of peaks at different HPC concentrations with PVA. This indicated changes in the crystallinity/amorphosity ratio, and also suggested that the miscibility between the amorphous components of homo-polymers PVA and HPC is possible. The results showed that HPC doped in PVA film can improve the thermal stability of the film under investigation, leading to interesting technological applications.

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Thermal and structural studies of poly (vinyl alcohol) and hydroxypropyl cellulose blends

The classical concepts about unmixing of polymer blends (Flory-Huggins theory) and about mesophase ordering in block copolymers (Leibler's theory) are briefly reviewed and their validity is discussed in the light of recent experiments, computer simulations and other theoretical concepts. It is emphasized that close to the critical point of unmixing non-classical critical exponents of the Ising universality class are observed, in contrast to the classical mean-field exponents implied by the Flory-Huggins theory. The temperature range of this non-mean-field behavior can be understood by Ginzburg criteria. The latter are also useful to discuss the conditions under which the linearized (Cahn-like) theory of spinodal decomposition holds. While Flory-Huggins theory predicts correctly that the critical value of the Flory χ-parameter scales with chain length N (for symmetrical mixtures) χc ∝ 1/N, it strongly overestimates the prefactor and its use for fitting experimental data yields spurious concentration dependence. Also the chain radii depend on both χ and the composition of the mixture, thus invalidating the random phase approximation (RPA). Particular strong deviations from the RPA are predicted for block copolymer melts, where chains may stretch out in a dumbbell-like shape even in the disordered phase, before the microphase separation transition is approached. This review concludes with an outlook on interfacial phenomena and surface effects on these systems and other open problems in this field.

Phase transitions in polymer blends and block copolymer melts: Some recent developments

Thermoplastic natural rubber blends

Molecular dynamics simulations to investigate polymer–polymer and polymer–metal oxide interactions ☆

1. Thermodynamic Theory and Experimental Techniques for Polymer Blends.- 2. Glass Transitions and Compatibility Phase Behavior in Copolymer Containing Blends.- 3. Microscopy and other Methods of Studying Blends.- 4. Preparation of Blends.- 5. Light, Neutron and X-Ray Scattering Techniques for Studying Polymer Blends.- 6. Liquid-Liquid Phase Equilibria in Polymer Blends.- 7. Polymer Blend Modification of PVC.- 8. Synthesis of Block and Graft Copolymers.- 9. Block Copolymers Morphological and Physical Properties.- 10. Colloidal Behaviour and Surface Activity of Block Copolymers.- 11. Relationships between Morphology, Structure, Composition and Properties in Isotactic Polypropylene Based Blends.- 12. Rubber-Rubber Blends.- 13. Pure and Applied Research on Interpenetrating Polymer Networks and Related Materials.- 14. Fracture Toughness Evaluation of Blends and Mixtures and the Use of the J Method.- 15. Crazing and Cracking in Glassy Homopolymers.- 16. The Mechanical Properties of Homogeneous Glassy Polymer Blends.- 17. Mechanical Properties of High-Impact Polymers.- 18. Fatigue of High-Impact Polymers.- 19. Yielding and Failure Criteria for Rubber Modified Polymers, Part 1.- 20. Yielding and Failure Criteria for Rubber Modified Polymers, Part 2.- 21. Multiphase Thermosetting Polymers.- 22. Processing and Phase Morphology of Incompatible Polymer Blends.- Seminars.- 1. Pulse-Induced Critical Scattering.- 2. Phase Separation in Polymer Blends.- 3. Thermodynamics of Compatibility in Binary Polymeric Mixtures.- 4. PVC Blending Resins: Properties and Appllications.- 5. Block Copolymers as Homogenizing Agents in Blends of Amorphous and Semicrystalline Polymers.- 6. Study of Copolymer-Homopolymer Blends.- 7. Rubber-Plastics Blends.- 8. Isotactic Polypropylene/Rubber Blends: Effect of Crystallization Conditions and Composition on Properties.- 9. Ethylene-Propylene Rubber and Polyolefin Polymer Blends: Present Situation and Future Trends.

A. Maconnachie

Papers

Polymer blends and mixtures