Thermal transitions of benzene in copolymers and interpenetrating polymer networks based on hydrophilic and hydrophobic components: experimental evidence of hydrophobic interaction

Salmerón-Sánchez, M. , Monleón Pradas, M. and Gómez Ribelles, J.L. (2003) Thermal transitions of benzene in copolymers and interpenetrating polymer networks based on hydrophilic and hydrophobic components: experimental evidence of hydrophobic interaction. Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics, 41(14), pp. 1713-1721. (doi: 10.1002/polb.10523)

Abstract

Thermal transitions of benzene in a hydrophobic polymer network have been explained by us in terms of the phase diagram of the polymer-solvent system. In this work, we executed a similar study on copolymers and interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) with controllable hydrophilic/hydrophobic ratios. Copolymers and IPNs were swollen with different amounts of benzene and subjected to cooling and heating scans with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Synthesis of the IPNs was carried out in such a way that phase separation appeared, and three qualitatively different types of DSC thermograms were identified depending on the benzene content of IPN. Thermal transitions of benzene in the hydrophilic/hydrophobic copolymers can also be explained as a consequence of the phase diagram of the system, but an increase in the glass-transition temperature of the system can be correlated with the interactions among the hydrophilic groups of the copolymer.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Salmeron-Sanchez, Professor Manuel
• Authors: Salmerón-Sánchez, M., Monleón Pradas, M., and Gómez Ribelles, J.L.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering
• Journal Name: Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics
• ISSN: 0887-6266
• ISSN (Online): 1099-0488
• Published Online: 11 June 2003