Enhanced Polymer Blend Compatibility Through Controlled Interfacial Mixing

聚合物共混物的机械性能将在研究启动奖下进行研究。目的是通过在共混物中合理地使用官能团来扩大界面区，以改善这些性能，特别是大应变性能。聚苯乙烯和聚乙烯-共丙烯经氢键和质子给体和受体官能化后，将被用作模型共混物的组分。界面混合的程度将由小角x射线散射和热分析决定，并与力学行为有关。

The mechanical properties of polymer blends will be studied under a Research Initiation Award. The purpose is to improve these properties, and especially the large-strain behavior, by broadening the interface zones by judicious use of functional groups in the blends. Polystyrene and poly(ethylene-co-propylene), which have been functionalized with hydrogen bond and proton donor and acceptor sites, will be used as the constituents of model blends. The degree of interfacial mixing will be determined by small angle x-ray scattering and thermal analysis and related to mechanical behavior.