The effects of hydrogen bonding on the miscibility, complexation and crystallization in blends of crystalline and amorphous components

Abstract

Abstract The miscibility and crystallization of blends of poly{styrene‐ co ‐[ p ‐(2,2,2‐trifluoro‐1‐hydroxy‐1‐trifluoromethyl)ethyl‐ a ‐methylstyrene]} (PS(OH)) and polycaprolactone (PCL) have been investigated by viscometry and differential scanning calorimetry. With increasing the hydroxyl content in PS(OH), the transitions from immiscibility to miscibility and then to complexation can be realized. Depending on the states in which the blends exist, a different behavior of PCL crystallization is observed. Crystallization in the immiscible blends, is almost not affected by the presence of PS(OH). In the miscible blends, an apparent depression of crystallization is observed. Particularly, for the blends with a hydroxyl content larger than 8 mol‐% in PS(OH), complete depression of PCL crystallization is found, which can be attributed to a complex formed by pairing segments of PCL and PS(OH).