Estimation of interaction energies by the critical molecular weight method: 2. Blends with polysulfones

Abstract

Abstract The interaction energies between PS, Pα‐MS, and PMMA, as well as acrylonitrile and maleic anhydride units, with a series of polysulfones were quantitatively determined from oligomer/oligomer, oligomer/homopolymer, and homopolymer/copolymer blends. Interaction energies were calculated from the Flory‐Huggins theory and the Sanchez‐Lacombe equation of state theory using experimental cloud points or miscibility boundaries. Alkyl addition to the phenyl rings of polysulfone is favorable for miscibility with polystyrene whereas halogenation of the bisphenol connector unit favors miscibility with poly(methyl methacrylate). Interaction energies are quantitatively ranked and described qualitatively in terms of changes in the electronic charge distribution of the polymer repeat units as calculated by SYBYL software. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.