Polymer, Vol.39, No.16, 3611-3621, 1998
Confirmation of predicted polymer blend morphologies from bulk specimens
The morphologies of polymer blends predicted by simulation of spinodal decomposition were compared to bulk blends made by compositional quenching. After selective staining with ruthenium and osmium tetroxide, the experimental blends were investigated microscopically using a 1.2 MeV electron microscope. Due to the penetration power of megavolt electrons, thick specimens, 0.75 mu m, were examined and allowed the blend structures to be studied in all three spatial dimensions. The simulation model was successful in the prediction of the gross morphology but did not predict details such as micelle formation. With the model, it is possible to produce a desired morphology with a minimal amount of experimentation.
Keywords:POLYETHYLENE-POLYSTYRENE BLENDS;PHASE-SEPARATION MORPHOLOGY;LOW-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE;BLOCK-COPOLYMERS;SPINODAL DECOMPOSITION;MOLECULAR DESIGN;IMPACT MODIFIERS;2 HOMOPOLYMERS;CO-POLYMERS;SYSTEMS