Miscibility in blends of random copolymers of styrene and acrylontrile with block copolymers of styrene and methyl methacrylate

Abstract

AbstractPhase behavior in blends of random copolymers of styrene and acrylonitrile with block copolymers of styrene and methyl methacrylate was studied by light scattering, light microscopy and glass transition temperature measurements. The results are compared with those of respective blends containing random copolymers of styrene and methyl methacrylate. In terms of macrophase separation, the block copolymers display a more extended miscibility domain with styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers than the random copolymers. However, the extent of the miscibility domain varies as a function of temperature. Unlike the random copolymer blends, all blends containing block copolymers exhibit lower critical solution temperature behavior. Finally, it is established that the systems studied here undergo spinodal decomposition leading to macrophase separation.