Effect of random copolymer additives on the interfacial tension between incompatible polymers

Abstract

Interfacial tensions γ were measured for mixtures of poly(methylphenylsiloxane) (4 kg/mol) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (24 kg/mol) in the absence and in the presence of small amounts of the random copolymer poly(dimethylsiloxane-ran-methylphenylsiloxane) (89 mol-% of dimethylsiloxane units, 28 kg/ mol) from 25 to 110°C. Approximately 1 wt.-% of the copolymer additive suffices to reduce γ from ca. 2.2 to 1.6 mN/m. The time dependence of the apparent γ value in the course of the attainment of equilibria also indicates surface acivity. The hypothesis is formulated that the efficiency of the random copolymer for a reduction of γ is bound to the condition that it is only sparingly soluble in both blend components.