Poly 4-Vinylpyridine and Polystyrene Based Interpenetrating Polymer Networks (IPNs): Synthesis and Characterization

Abstract

A study on synthesis of thin film of interpenetrating polymer network (IPN), of poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PVP) and polystyrene was carried out. A series of IPN was synthesized, using divinyl benzene (as cross linker) and benzoyl peroxide (as an initiator) and characterized using FT-IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal (DSC, TGA) and fluorescent techniques. FTIR spectra revealed the presence of PVP at 1584 cm–1 and polystyrene at 1609 cm–1. Shifting in band positions depicts formation of IPN. SEM images show a clear dual phase morphology. DSC thermogram reveals glass transition temperature (Tg) value of the polymer network at 350 ºC. TGA graph depicts thermal stability of IPN upto 400 °C. The XRD pattern of IPN indicates semi crystalline nature. The properties such as average molecular weight between crosslinks (Mc), percentage swelling is found to be the direct function of initiator (BPO) and inverse function of concentration of cross linker (DVB) and styrene. Fluorescence spectra of IPN observed in visual range of 506 nm.