Abstract
Although super-engineering plastics show superb thermal stabilities and long lifetime, their mechanical properties are often insufficient due to their molecular stiffness, as observed for poly(p-phenylene sulfide) (PPS). In the present study, a novel blend of two super-engineering plastics, PPS and poly(phenylsulfone) (PPSU), was investigated in detail. Differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) measurements revealed for the first time that the PPS/PPSU blends showed partial miscibility. The desirable interfacial adhesion achieved by the partial miscibility and the segmental mobility of PPSU, observed as a transition peak at approximately −100 °C in the DMA measurements, most likely contributed to remedying the brittleness of PPS. Furthermore, small-angle X-ray scattering measurements revealed that the PPSU chains intruded into the amorphous region between the PPS lamellae during the crystallization of PPS as a result of the interlamellar segregation of the PPSU chains, which were partially miscible with PPS in the molten state. Thermogravimetric analysis measurements under a nitrogen atmosphere demonstrated that the thermal stabilities of PPS blends were significantly improved by the addition of PPSU.
Similar content being viewed by others
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
References
Kurihara, F. (ed.) in: Encyclopedia of Polymeric Materials Vol. 300, (Nikkan Kogyo, Tokyo, 1999).
Committee of Encyclopedia of plastic functional polymer materials (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Plastic Functional Polymer Materials, (Sunchoh publishing, Tokyo, Japan, 2004).
Hergenrother, P. M. (ed.) in: Advances in Polymer Science Vol. 117, (Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1994).
Wu, B., Zheng, X., Leng, J. H., Yang, B., Chen, X. & He, B. B. Compatibilization of ethylene/maleic anhydride/glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer for poly(phenylene sulfide)/poly(amide-66) Blends. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 124, 325–332 (2012).
Zhang, R. C., Huang, Y. G., Min, M., Gao, Y., Lu, A. & Lu, Z. Y. Nonisothermal crystallization of polyamide 66/poly(phenylene sulfide) blends. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 107, 2600–2606 (2008).
An, J. B., Suzuki, T., Ougizawa, T., Inoue, T., Mitamura, K. & Kawanishi, K. Studies on miscibility and phase-separated morphology of nylon 4,6/poly(phenylene sulfide) blend under shear flow. J. Macromol. Sci. B Phys. 41, 407–418 (2002).
Mai, K. C., Chang, S. C., Gao, Q. F. & Zeng, H. M. Effect of interface on crystallization behavior of polyphenylene sulfide blends with polyamide 6. Act. Polym. Sin. 1, 121–123 (2001).
Tang, W. H., Hu, X. Y., Tang, J. & Jin, R. G. Toughening and compatibilization of polyphenylene sulfide/nylon 66 blends with SEBS and maleic anhydride grafted SEBS triblock copolymers. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 106, 2648–2655 (2007).
Rath, T., Kumar, S., Mahaling, R. N., Das, C. K. & Yadaw, S. B. Mechanical and morphological study of polyphenylene sulfide/liquid crystalline polymer blends compatibilized with a maleic anhydride grafted copolymer. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 106, 3721–3728 (2007).
Gopakumar, T. G., Ghadage, R. S., Ponrathnam, S., Rajan, C. R. & Fradet, A. Poly(phenylene sulfide)/liquid crystalline polymer blends. 1: Non-isothermal crystallization kinetics. Polymer 38, 2209–2214 (1997).
Masamoto, J. & Kubo, K. Elastomer-toughened poly(phenylene sulfide). Polym. Eng. Sci. 36, 265–270 (1996).
Hisamatsu, T., Nakano, S., Adachi, T., Ishikawa, M. & Iwakura, K. The effect of compatibility on toughness of pps/sebs polymer alloy. Polymer. 41, 4803–4809 (2000).
Wu, X. S., Wei, H. B., Zhu, J. & Fang, X. Z. Study on thermal properties and crystallization behavior of blends of poly(phenylene sulfide)/poly(ether imide). Polym. Plast. Technol. 49, 1506–1514 (2010).
Jog, J. P., Shingankuli, V. L. & Nadkarni, V. M. Crystallization of poly(phenylene sulfide) in blends with high-density polyethylene and poly(ethylene-terephthalate). Polymer 34, 1966–1969 (1993).
Zhang, R. I., Lu, A., Min, M., Lu, Z. Y. & Huang, Y. G. Non-isothermal crystallization of high-impact polystyrene/poly(phenylene sulfide) blends. Polym. Plast. Technol. 47, 215–222 (2008).
Quan, H., Li, Z. M., Yang, M. B. & Lu, Z. Y. Nonisothermal crystallization nucleation of in situ fibrillar and spherical inclusions in poly(phenylene sulfide)/isotactic polypropylene blends. J. Macromol. Sci. B Phys. 44, 761–778 (2005).
Wu, D., Zhang, Y., Zhang, M. & Wu, L. Morphology, nonisothermal crystallization behavior, and kinetics of poly(phenylene sulfide)/polycarbonate blend. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 105, 739–748 (2007).
Shibata, M., Yosomiya, R., Jiang, Z., Yang, Z., Wang, G., Ma, R. & Wu, Z. Crystallization and melting behavior of poly(p-phenylene sulfide) in blends with poly(ether sulfone). J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 74, 1686–1692 (1999).
Lai, M. F., Yang, Y. M. & Liu, J. J. Reactive reinforcement of the interface of poly(ether sulfone)/poly(phenylene sulfide) polymer blend by PMR–POI. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 85, 1297–1306 (2002).
Zhang, R. C., Xu, Y., Lu, Z. Y., Min, M., Gao, Y., Huang, Y. G. & Lu, A. Investigation on the crystallization behavior of poly(ether ether ketone)/poly(phenylene sulfide) blends. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 108, 1829–1836 (2008).
Mai, K., Mei, Z., Xu, J. & Zeng, H. Effect of blending on the multiple melting behavior of polyphenylene sulfide. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 63, 1001–1008 (1997).
Harris, J. E. & Brooks, G. T. Process for Miscible Blends of Imide Containing Polymers with Poly(aryl sulfones) Amoco Corp. US Patent, US 5134202 (1992).
Retolaza, A., Eguiazábal, J. I. & Nazábal, J. Structure and properties of compatible PPSF-rich blends with PET. Macromol. Mater. Eng. 289, 708–713 (2004).
Di Vona, M. L., D’Epifanio, A., Marani, D., Trombetta, M., Traversa, E. & Licoccia, S. SPEEK/PPSU-based organic-inorganic membranes: proton conducting electrolytes in anhydrous and wet environments. J. Membrane Sci. 279, 186–191 (2006).
Weng, T. H., Tseng, H. H. & Wey, M. Y. Preparation and characterization of PPSU/PBNPI blend membrane for hydrogen separation. Int. J. Hydrogen Energ. 33, 4178–4182 (2008).
Sun, H., Mark, J. E., Tan, S. C., Venkatasubramanian, N., Houtz, M. D., Arnold, F. E. & Lee, C. Y-C. Microcellular foams from some high-performance composites. Polymer 46, 6623–6632 (2005).
Brandrup, J., Immergut, E. H. & Grulke, E. A. (eds) Polymer Handbook 4th Edn Vol. 1 pVI/58 (Wiley-Interscience, Hobeken, NJ, 1999).
Oyama, H. T., Sekikawa, M. & Ikezawa, Y. Influence of the polymer/inorganic filler interface on the mechanical, thermal, and flame retardant properties of polypropylene/magnesium hydroxide composites. J. Macromol. Sci. B Phys. 50, 463–483 (2011).
Wade, B., Abhiraman, A. S., Wharry, S. & Sutherlin, D. High-temperature, high-resolution nuclear-magnetic-resonance of poly(para-phenylene sulfide). J. Polym. Sci. B Polym. Phys. 28, 1233–1249 (1990).
Macosko, C. W. Morphology development and control in immiscible polymer blends. Macromol. Symp. 149, 171–184 (2000).
Kolařík, J., Lednicky, F., Pukánszky, B. & Pegoraro, M. Blends of polycarbonate with poly(methyl methacrylate)–miscibility, phase continuity, and interfacial adhesion. Polym. Eng. Sci. 32, 886–893 (1992).
Ma, X. F., Yu, J. G. & Wang, N. Compatibility characterization of poly(lactic acid)/poly(propylene carbonate) blends. J. Polym. Sci. B Polym. Phys. 44, 94–101 (2006).
Kolařík, J. Positive deviations of the modulus and yield strength of blends consisting of partially miscible polymers. J. Macromol. Sci. B Phys. 39, 53–66 (2000).
Fekete, E., Földes, E., Damsits, F. & Pukánszky, B. Interaction-structure-property relationships in amorphous polymer blends. Polym. Bull. 44, 363–370 (2000).
Mai, K., Mei, Z., Xu, J. & Zeng, H. Effect of high-performance polymers on crystallization and multiple melting behavior of poly(phenylene sulfide). J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 69, 637–644 (1998).
Strobl, G. R. & Schneider, M. Direct evaluation of the electron-density correlation-function of partially crystalline polymers. J. Polym. Sci. Polym. Phys. 18, 1343–1359 (1980).
Lu, S. X., Cebe, P. & Capel, M. Effects of molecular weight on the structure of poly(phenylene sulfide) crystallized at low temperatures. Macromolecules 30, 6243–6250 (1997).
Sass, C. S. & Fagerburg, D. R. Optical and SAXS characterization of poly(phenylene sulfide)(PPS) oligomers. J. Polym. Sci. B Polym. Phys. 32, 579 (1994).
Chen, H. L., Liu, H. H. & Lin, J. S. Microstructure of semicrystalline poly(L-lactide)/poly(4-vinylphenol) blends evaluated from SAXS absolute intensity measurement. Macromolecules 33, 4856–4860 (2000).
Russell, T. P., Ito, H. & Wignall, G. D. Neutron and x-ray-scattering studies on semicrystalline polymer blends. Macromolecules 21, 1703–1709 (1988).
Graebling, D., Muller, R. & Palierne, J. F. Linear viscoelastic behavior of some incompatible polymer blends in the melt–interpretation of data with a model of emulsion of viscoelastic liquids. Macromolecules 26, 320–329 (1993).
Bousmina, M., Palierne, J. F. & Utracki, L. A. Modeling of structured polyblend flow in a laminar shear field. Polym. Eng. Sci. 39, 1049–1059 (1999).
Shan, C. L. P., Soares, J. B. P. & Penlidis, A. HDPE/LLDPE reactor blends with bimodal microstructures - part ii: rheological properties. Polymer 44, 177–185 (2003).
Acknowledgements
Financial support was kindly provided by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Kakenhi Grant Number 22605006 and the Supported Program for the Strategic Research Foundation at Private Universities provided by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan. The authors are deeply thankful to the BASF Corporation, Germany, and the Kureha Corporation, Japan, for kindly providing us with the PPSU and PPS samples, respectively. The TEM micrograph was kindly taken by S Shida at the IMU Cooperative Research Center of Iwaki Meisei University, Japan.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nara, S., Oyama, H. Effects of partial miscibility on the structure and properties of novel high performance blends composed of poly(p-phenylene sulfide) and poly(phenylsulfone). Polym J 46, 568–575 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/pj.2014.21
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/pj.2014.21
Keywords
This article is cited by
-
Polyphenylsulfone/polyethylene glycol hexadecyl ether blend membranes with enhanced surface hydrophilicity for high-performance nanofiltration of dye solution
Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering (2022)
