Thermodynamic characterization of hybrid polymer blend systems

A thermodynamic model was used to predict the morphology of hybrid multicomponent polymer blend systems. Two systems were studied, both including two noncompatible polymers, a third compatibilizer polymer and layered, organo‐treated clays. The polar and nonpolar contributions of the surface energies of the components of the systems were calculated using measurements of the contact angles. The morphology of the multicomponent systems and the relative position of the organo‐clays within them, were predicted by calculating the interaction energies between the different components of the system and evaluating these values according to the Vaia and Giannelis thermodynamic model for polymer melt intercalation in organically modified layered silicates. The experimental results show good correlation with the prediction that the organo‐clays will have higher affinity to the compatibilizer polymer component situated at the interface between the two noncompatible blend components. In addition, the presence of the organo‐clays in this interface was found to have a significant additional compatibilizing effect between the two polymer phases. The results presented in this work support the idea that hybrid formation via polymer melt intercalation depends mostly on energetic factors that can be determined from surface energies of polymers and organo‐modified layered silicates, also in the case of multiphase polymer system. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers