FTIR investigation of interactions in blends of PMMA with a styrene/acrylic acid copolymer and their analogs

Abstract

Abstract Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to examine the interactions in miscible blends of a styrene (92%)/acrylic acid (8%) copolymer (SAA8) with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). From the residue or interaction spectra and shifts of carbonyl and carboxylic acid stretching bands, it is concluded that there is a significant specific interaction involving hydrogen bonding between the carbonyl groups of the PMMA and the carboxylic groups of the SAA8. Similar FTIR spectra of some low‐molecular‐weight liquid analogs for the various monomer units of these polymers do not indicate a comparable interaction. This explains why direct calorimetry with these compounds fails to model correctly the expected exothermic mixing of the blends. Furthermore, the role of the aromatic moiety in the SAA polymer appears to reduce the degree of self‐association of the carboxylic acid groups based on results for the model compounds. Coupled with molecular rigidity, the above mechanism makes the carboxylic acid units in SAA8 more available for interaction with the PMMA carbonyls.