Synthesis and Thermal Characterization of Some Novel ABA Block Copolymers

Abstract

AbstractThe synthesis of some novel ABA block copolymers is reported. The block A is a PPO while the block B is a random copoly(aryl ether sulfone), synthesized with three different molecular weights. The block copolymers were obtained by a two step procedure consisting on the functionalization of the random copoly(aryl ether sulfone) followed by a condensation with PPO. Spectroscopic techniques (1H NMR and 13C NMR) were used to characterize the polymers obtained from each step. The NMR data proved the complete conversion of amino groups after the first reaction step and gave some useful insights on the completion of the second step. Copolymer formation is supported by a comparison of the thermal behavior of the block copolymers with respect to the physical blends of the two homopolymers. DSC and DMA analyses showed double glass transitions for the physical blends which could be related to the immiscibility of the two homopolymers, while, in contrast, the block copolymer showed single glass transition. Blends of ABA triblock copolymer/PPO and of ABA triblock/copoly(arylen ether sulfone)s were also prepared. These blends, tested by DSC, showed a good level of compatibility of the ABA copolymer with its singular constituents.magnified image