화학공학소재연구정보센터
Macromolecules, Vol.43, No.11, 5149-5157, 2010
Protein-Like Copolymers (PLCs) as Compatibilizers for Homopolymer Blends
We present the results of discontinuous molecular dynamics (DMD) computer simulations aimed at understanding the role of protein-like copolymers (PLCs) as compatibilizing agents for a polymer blend containing two incompatible homopolymers. The effectiveness of PLCs to act as compatibilizers is compared with that of block, alternating, and random copolymers at low copolymer concentration (similar to 0.66%). PLCs localize at the interface and are preferentially oriented parallel to it, judged by comparing the parallel and perpendicular components of the radius of gyration ((parallel to) > (perpendicular to)) At lower temperatures, PLCs possess higher interfacial width as they penetrate the interface more than random and alternating copolymers; the PLCs are very efficient at making multiple connection points across the interface. The average fraction of crossings for PLCs is as high as 80% of the number of junction points, that is, the number of bonds between A and B monomers in the AB copolymer. High-molecular-weight PLCs are likely to outperform random and alternating copolymers as efficient interfacial stabilizers.