Characterization of Polymer Blends: Miscibility, Morphology and Interfaces -- Contents -- List of Contributors -- 1 Polymer Blends: State of the Art, New Challenges, and Opportunities -- 1.1 Introduction -- 1.2 Miscible and Immiscible Polymer Blends -- 1.3 Compatibility in Polymer Blends -- 1.4 Topics Covered in this Book -- References -- 2 Miscible Blends Based on Biodegradable Polymers -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.2 Thermodynamic Approach to the Miscibility of Polymer Blends -- 2.2.1 Introduction -- 2.2.2 Molecular Size and Entropy -- 2.2.3 The Regular Solution -- 2.2.4 The Flory-Huggins Model -- 2.2.5 The Hildebrand Approach -- 2.2.6 Extension of the Flory-Huggins Model to Systems with Specific Interactions -- 2.2.7 The Dependence of Miscibility on Blend Composition and Temperature -- 2.2.8 The Painter-Coleman Association Model (PCAM) -- 2.2.9 Analysis of the Miscibility Using Molecular Modeling Calculations -- 2.2.10 Classification of Miscible Systems -- 2.2.10.1 Entropically Driven Miscible Systems -- 2.2.10.2 Enthalpically Driven Miscible Systems -- 2.3 Revision of Polymer Blends Based on Biodegradable Polyesters -- 2.3.1 Blends Containing Poly(lactic acid) or Poly(lactide) (PLA) -- 2.3.1.1 PLA/PLA Blends -- 2.3.1.2 PLA Blended with Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) -- 2.3.1.3 PLA Blended with Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and Poly(vinyl acetate) -- 2.3.1.4 PLA/Poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) Blends -- 2.3.1.5 PLA/Poly((R)-3-Hydroxybutyric acid)) (PHB) Blends -- 2.3.1.6 PLA Blended with Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and Poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) -- 2.3.1.7 PLA/Poly(4-vinylphenol) (PVPh) Blends -- 2.3.1.8 PLA Blended with Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and Poly(ethylene succinate) (PESu) -- 2.3.1.9 PLA Blended with Poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) and Poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC).

2.3.1.10 PLA/Poly(styrene) (PS) Blends -- 2.3.1.11 PLA Blended with Other Polymers -- 2.3.1.12 PLA Blended with Other Copolymers -- 2.3.2 Blends Containing Poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) -- 2.3.3 Blends Containing Poly(hydroxy butyrate) (PHB) -- 2.3.4 Blends Containing Poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDO) -- 2.3.5 Blends Containing Poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) or Polyglycolide -- 2.4 Revision of Blends Based on Natural Polymers -- 2.4.1 Blends Containing Starch -- 2.4.2 Blends Containing Cellulose -- 2.4.3 Blends Containing Chitosan -- 2.4.4 Blends Containing Collagen -- Appendix 2.B List of Abbreviations and Nomenclature -- 2.B.1 Chemical Terms -- 2.B.2 Polymers and Copolymers -- 2.B.3 Notations -- 2.B.4 Symbols -- 2.B.5 Greek Letters -- Acknowledgments -- References -- 3 Thermodynamics and Morphology and Compatibilization of Polymer Blends -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 Thermodynamics of Polymer Blends -- 3.2.1 Enthalpy of Mixing -- 3.2.2 Entropy of Mixing -- 3.2.3 Flory-Huggins Theory -- 3.3 Phase Behavior of Polymer Blends -- 3.3.1 Phase Diagrams -- 3.3.2 Phase Separation -- 3.3.3 Interfaces in Polymer Blends -- 3.4 Morphology of Polymer Blends -- 3.4.1 Morphology Development During Melt Processing -- 3.4.2 Stability of Blend Morphology -- 3.5 Compatibilization of Polymer Blends -- 3.5.1 Morphology Development in Compatibilized Blends -- 3.5.2 Compatibilization Techniques -- 3.5.2.1 Addition of Preprepared Copolymer -- 3.5.2.2 Addition of Reactive Polymer -- 3.5.2.3 Addition of Reactive Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds -- 3.5.2.4 Other Compatibilization Techniques -- References -- 4 Characterization of Polymer Blends: Rheological Studies -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.1.1 General Description of Thermoset Rheological Behaviors -- 4.1.2 Thermosetting Resins: Gelation, Vitrification, and Viscoelasticity -- 4.1.3 Methods of Rheological Measurement.

4.2 Thermosetting Blend Systems with Rubbers and Thermoplastics -- 4.2.1 Phase Separation and Rheological Behavior of Rubber-Modified Systems -- 4.2.2 Phase Separation and Rheological Behavior of Thermoplastic-Modified Systems -- 4.2.3 Viscoelastic Properties of the Blends -- 4.2.4 Gelation Behaviors of the Blends -- 4.3 Thermosetting Systems with Nanostructures -- 4.4 Conclusions -- References -- 5 Characterization of Phase Behavior in Polymer Blends by Light Scattering -- 5.1 Introduction -- 5.2 Amorphous/Crystalline Polymer Blends -- 5.3 Light Scattering -- 5.4 Cloud-Point Determination -- 5.5 Time-Resolved Light Scattering -- 5.5.1 Immiscible Blends -- 5.5.2 Spinodal Decomposition -- 5.5.3 Crystallization by Hv Light Scattering -- 5.5.4 Model Blend of Poly(ε-Caprolactone) (PCL) and Poly(Styrene-co- Acrylonitrile) (SAN) -- 5.5.5 Samples Preparation -- 5.5.6 Phase Separation and Phase Dissolution in Poly(ε-Caprolactone)/ Poly(Styrene-co-Acrylonitrile) Blend -- 5.5.7 Crystallization Kinetics by Optical Microscopy and by Hv Light Scattering -- 5.5.8 Competition of Phase Dissolution and Crystallization -- 5.6 Determination of Virtual UCST Behavior -- 5.6.1 Evaluation of Particle Size in Immiscible Blends -- Acknowledgments -- References -- 6 Characterization of Polymer Blends by X-Ray Scattering: SAXS and WAXS -- 6.1 Introduction -- 6.1.1 Development of SAXS Techniques for Polymers -- 6.1.2 Instrumentation and the Synchrotron Advantage -- 6.2 Basics of X-Ray Scattering -- 6.2.1 Elastic Scattering of Electromagnetic Radiation by Single Electron -- 6.2.2 Scattering by Assembly of Electrons: Scattering Geometry and Interference -- 6.2.3 Scattered Intensity -- 6.3 Small- and Wide-Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS and WAXS) -- 6.4 Polymer Blend Morphology -- 6.4.1 Blends of Homopolymers -- 6.4.1.1 Structural Characterization: SAXS Data.

6.4.1.2 Crystallinity: WAXS Data -- 6.4.2 Blends of Block Copolymers -- 6.4.3 Time-Resolved Studies: Kinetics of Crystallization and Melting -- 6.5 Conclusions -- References -- 7 Characterization of Polymer Blends and Block Copolymers by Neutron Scattering: Miscibility and Nanoscale Morphology -- 7.1 Introduction -- 7.2 Small-Angle Scattering -- 7.2.1 Contrast -- 7.2.2 Scattering Function -- 7.2.3 Gaussian Chain -- 7.3 Thermodynamics of Polymer Blends and Solutions. Flory-Huggins Theory -- 7.4 The Scattering Function and Thermodynamics -- 7.4.1 The Forward Scattering -- 7.4.2 Random Phase Approximation (RPA) -- 7.4.3 Beyond Mean Field -- 7.5 Block Copolymers -- 7.5.1 Ordered Phases -- References -- 8 Ultrasound in Polymer Blends -- 8.1 Introduction -- 8.2 High-Frequency Ultrasound -- 8.2.1 Static Characterization -- 8.2.1.1 Miscibility of Solution Blends -- 8.2.1.2 Compatibility -- 8.2.1.3 Density -- 8.2.1.4 Phase Inversion -- 8.2.1.5 Molecular Orientation -- 8.2.2 In-Line Monitoring -- 8.2.2.1 Morphology -- 8.3 Power Ultrasound -- 8.3.1 Injection Molding -- 8.3.1.1 Weld Line Strength Improvement -- 8.3.2 Batch Melt Mixing -- 8.3.2.1 Compatibilization -- 8.3.3 Extrusion -- 8.3.3.1 Molecular Weight Control -- 8.3.3.2 Tensile Properties Enhancement -- 8.3.3.3 Compatibilization -- 8.3.3.4 Rheological Modification -- 8.3.3.5 Morphology Control -- 8.3.3.6 Die Swell Reduction -- 8.4 Summary -- References -- 9 Characterization of Polymer Blends: Ellipsometry -- 9.1 Ellipsometry -- 9.1.1 Principles of Ellipsometry -- 9.1.2 Thickness and Optical Properties of Layers on Solid Supports -- 9.1.2.1 Linear EMA -- 9.1.2.2 Maxwell-Garnett EMA -- 9.1.2.3 Bruggeman EMA -- 9.1.3 Depth Profiling -- 9.1.4 Sample Preparation -- 9.1.5 Types of Instrument and Measurements -- 9.1.5.1 Spectroscopic Ellipsometry, Real-Time Measurement.

9.2 Applications in the Characterization of Polymer Blend Films -- 9.2.1 Phase Separation in Thin Polymer Blend Films -- 9.2.2 Analysis of Interfacial Thickness and Interfacial Reaction -- 9.2.2.1 Miscibility -- 9.2.2.2 Reactive Compatibilization -- 9.2.3 Morphology, Roughness, and Pattern Formation in Nanolayers -- 9.2.4 Biomaterial Surfaces -- 9.2.5 Surface Modification, Adsorption from Solution -- 9.2.5.1 Biomaterial Blends -- 9.2.5.2 Distribution and Release of Drugs -- 9.2.6 Composite Layers for Organic Solar Cells -- 9.3 Concluding Remarks -- Acknowledgments -- References -- 10 Inverse Gas Chromatography -- 10.1 Concept and History of Inverse Gas Chromatography (IGC) -- 10.2 Theoretical Background -- 10.3 Thermodynamic Aspects: Parameters Used for Polymer Blend Characterization -- 10.3.1 Flory-Huggins Interaction Parameter for Polymer-Test Solute Systems -- 10.3.2 Flory-Huggins Interaction Parameter for "Multiple" Systems -- 10.4 Procedures Used in IGC Experiments Leading to the Determination of Polymer Blend Characteristics -- 10.5 Application of Chemometric Methods -- 10.6 Transport Properties of Polymeric Mixtures -- 10.7 Usefulness of IGC: Applications of IGC-Derived Parameters in the Characterization of Various Systems -- 10.8 Advantages and Drawbacks of IGC -- References -- 11 Thermal Analysis in Polymer Blends -- 11.1 Introduction to Polymer Blends -- 11.1.1 The Principle of Polymer Blending -- 11.2 Experimental -- 11.2.1 System 1: PVC/PEO Blends -- 11.2.2 System 2: PVC/PEO:LiCF3SO3 Blends -- 11.2.3 System 3: PVC/PEO-LiCF3SO3-DBP:EC Blends -- 11.2.4 System 4: PVC/PEO-LiCF3SO3-DBP-EC:SiO2 Blends -- 11.3 Instrumentation -- 11.3.1 Sample Weight -- 11.3.2 Testing Temperature Range -- 11.3.3 Gas Environment -- 11.3.4 Heating Rate -- 11.4 Thermal Analysis -- 11.4.1 Information Obtained from TGA -- 11.4.2 Thermal Process.

11.4.3 The Value of the TGA Information.