ARS | Publication request: Spectroscopic Investigation of Polymer Interactions in Model Bioblends

Submitted to: Adhesion Society
Publication Type: Proceedings/Symposium
Publication Acceptance Date: February 16, 2004
Publication Date: February 13, 2005
Citation: Biresaw, G., Gordon, S.H. 2005. Spectroscopic investigation of polymer interactions in model bioblends. Proceedings of Adhesion Society. p.428-430.

Technical Abstract: Polymer blends comprising at least one biodegradable polymer component are referred to as bioblends. Such blends are of interest in the development of a variety of products for use in packaging materials, medical devices, drug delivery systems, etc. Successful development of such blends requires that the biodegradable polymer be compatible with the polymer with which it is blended. One way of assessing compatibility is through the evaluation of the degree of intermolecular interactions between the polymers in the blend. In this work, the degree of interaction in binary blends, comprising polystyrene (PS) and biodegradable polymers was investigated spectroscopically using Fourier Transform Infrared Photoacoustic Spectroscopy (FTIR-PAS). The biodegradable polymers were: polylactic acid, polycaprolactone, and poly(tetramethylenemadipate-co-terephthalate), also known under the trade name Eastar Bio Ultra®. Spectral deconvolution of FTIR-PAS data revealed the presence of intermolecular n-pi interactions between PS and the biodegradable polymers. The results also indicated that the degree of interaction was dependent on the type and concentration of the biodegradable polymer in the blend.