Abstract
Calorimetric study in conjunction with Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic study was carried out on the blends of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) with isotactic, atactic and syndiotactic poly(methyl methacrylate) (i-, a-, and s-PMMA). From the differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) measurements, the three types of blends show a depression of the melting temperatures. This indicates that PEO is compatible with i-, a-, and s-PMMA. But the largest melting point depressions of PEO are always found in the blends with s-PMMA. For PEO/a-PMMA and PEO/s-PMMA, the degree of crystallinity as a function of composition deviates substantially from that of the ideal blend in which no interaction between the components exists. The FTIR spectra of all three types of blends are recorded. In order to observe the microstructural changes of PEO in blends, we analyzed the spectra using digital weighted subtraction and addition techniques. It was concluded that the microstructures of PEO are strongly perturbed by the PMMA's. Among these blends PEO microstructure in PEO/s-PMMA blends is most greatly influenced. It indicates that the blending is most preferred with s-PMMA than a- and i-PMMA. It can be explained on the basis of the molecular structure of PMMA's.