Effect of fast neutrons on the structure and thermal properties of PVA/HPMC blends

Blends of PVA/HPMC of different mass percents are prepared using solution casting method and are subjected to fast neutron irradiation of fluence 1 × 10 7 n cm −2 . Structural configuration of the blends as well as thermal properties is studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal analyses (differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analysis) to reveal the miscibility map and to characterize the structural properties of the blend system. The data obtained from the X-ray diffraction patterns show broadening and sharpening of peaks at different HPMC concentrations with PVA as well as by irradiation with fast neutrons. Thermal analyses show variations in the first-order thermodynamic transition temperature, the melting temperature, shape and area of thermal peaks which are attributed to the different degrees of crystallinity and the existence of polymer–polymer interactions between PVA and HPMC molecules. The data explain the possibility of miscibility existence between the amorphous components of the two homopolymers PVA and HPMC.