Abstract
The use of block copolymers to compatibilize immiscible plastics is an important strategy for upcycling municipal plastic wastes. Multiblock copolymers (MBCPs) have been proven to be more effective compatibilizers than di- and tri-block copolymers. Herein, we probe the interface structure of an effective multiblock copolymer compatibilizer and compare that with an ineffective triblock copolymer (TBCP). The interface activity of the compatibilizers is understood through a combination of small-angle neutron and x-ray scatterings (SANS and SAXS), by using deuterated homopolymer matrix and protonated compatibilizers. SANS analysis suggests that the MBCP forms a thicker interface layer (7–9 nm) than the TBCP (0–4 nm). In addition, SANS data seems to point to a stronger tendency for the MBCP to locate at the interface. Both factors contribute to its effectiveness at compatibilizing immiscible homopolymers.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e55178 |
| Journal | Journal of Applied Polymer Science |
| Volume | 141 |
| Issue number | 14 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 10 2024 |
Funding
This research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, managed by UT Battelle, LLC, for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), under contract DE‐AC05‐00OR22725, was sponsored by the Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program (LDRD) of ORNL. This research used resources at the Spallation Neutron Source, a DOE Office of Science User Facility operated by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Part of the characterization work was conducted at Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, which is a DOE Office of Science User Facility. We thank Chris Ellison, Xiayu Peng, and Kevin Miller for supplying the block copolymer materials used in this study. This manuscript has been authored by UT‐Battelle, LLC, under contract DE‐AC05‐00OR22725 with the US Department of Energy (DOE). The US government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the US government retains a nonexclusive, paid‐up, irrevocable, worldwide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for US government purposes. DOE will provide public access to these results of federally sponsored research in accordance with the DOE Public Access Plan ( http://energy.gov/downloads/doe-public-access-plan ).
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| U.S. Department of Energy | DE‐AC05‐00OR22725 |
| Oak Ridge National Laboratory | |
| Laboratory Directed Research and Development | |
| UT-Battelle |
Keywords
- block copolymer
- compatibilizer
- polymer
- small angle neutron scattering
- small angle x-ray scattering
- upcycling