The Role of Strong Inter- and Intra-Molecular Interactions on the Phase Behavior and Morphology of Polymer Blends

Although mixing two polymers offers unlimited potential for achieving new materials with tailored properties, mixtures of high molecular weight polymers are usually immiscible due to an unfavorable free energy of mixing. This talk will describe two different mechanisms for achieving miscibility in polymer blends: the development of 1) attractive inter-molecular interactions and 2) repulsive intra-molecular interactions. We will first discuss general solution thermodynamics, specifically for the case of mixing two macromolecules, and then give examples of how strong inter-molecular and intra-molecular interactions perturb the phase behavior, phase separation kinetics and mixing kinetics of polymer blends. We will also discuss the implications of developing such interactions for compatibilization of polymer blends and the development of unique material microstructures.