Abstract
In this work, a new methodology for the synthesis of three-component polymers (TCPs) was developed using a seeded, semi-continuous free-radical emulsion polymerization towards the optimization of the moduli–ultimate deformation performance and energy dissipation capacity for a styrene (S), n-butyl acrylate (BA), and 4-vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC) system. The three components were sequentially fed in pairs, varying feed composition along the conversion using S as the common monomer. To prepare a reference material, an industrial method was utilized with those monomers, using an equivalent global composition in a two-stage batch process (TS). Nanophase formation in the particles was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), while the separation of the phases in the solid samples was observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The changes in glass transition temperature were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The latter was primarily used to compare mechanodynamic properties as a function of temperature for the two synthesis methods used. Thus, the higher toughness of the forced composition three-component polymeric materials was evaluated by means of their energy dissipation capacity, toughness, and stress–strain measurements at several temperatures.
Highlights
In the search for synergistic interactions among the components of polymeric materials to optimize their mechanical properties, gradients in composition have been sought for different types of polymeric materials [1,2,3]
Examples of synthesized polymer particle samples of the two types of polymeric materials can be observed in Figure 2a–f where a two-phase morphology can be clearly noticed in all polymer systems
In the case of the two-stage batch process (TS) material (Figure 2a), the phase separation basically occurs by the incompatibility of the seed polymer (PBA) and the copolymer prepared in the second stage (P(S-co-VBC)) to make the multicomponent polymer
Summary
In the search for synergistic interactions among the components of polymeric materials to optimize their mechanical properties, gradients in composition have been sought for different types of polymeric materials [1,2,3]. The properties contribution of each component is optimized; if the gradient composition is achieved, some region(s) are rich in component “A”, and other region(s) are rich in component “B”, provided that a close interaction is being maintained among those components by means of a gradual change in composition within the polymer bulk. The high molecular weight allows a full contribution of the specific characteristics of a polymeric component [1,4]. Such gradual change allows the presence of regions with intermediate composition which promotes the interaction of the components and diminishes phase separation [5]
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