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Viscoelastic Phase Separation and Interface Assisted Crystallization in a Highly Immiscible iPP/PMMA Blend
Weichao Shi1, Fenghua Chen1, Yan Zhang1
1Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Joint Laboratory of Polymer Science and Materials, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
Dynamically asymmetric polymer blends exhibit phase inversion and hierarchical network growth. Interfacial boundaries during phase separation coupled with crystallization promote epitaxial growth of irregular spherulites, aiding material processing.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Materials Science
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Dynamically asymmetric polymer blends are of recent interest.
- This study examines a highly immiscible, dynamically asymmetric system.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the behavior of highly immiscible dynamically asymmetric polymer blends.
- Understand the mechanisms of network growth, phase inversion, and crystallization.
Main Methods:
- Observation of transient network growth and phase inversion.
- Analysis of hierarchical network structure formation.
- Study of phase separation coupled with crystallization.
Main Results:
- A transient network growth and phase inversion were observed for the slow minor component.
- Hierarchical network growth resulted from competing local and large-scale growth mechanisms.
- Interfacial boundaries facilitated epitaxial crystallization of irregular spherulites.
Conclusions:
- The findings elucidate morphological control in material processing.
- Understanding these phenomena is crucial for designing advanced polymer materials.
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