Blends of polymers, consisting of two or more immiscible polymers, frequently display inadequate phase separation and interfacial adhesion, resulting in degraded mechanical properties. A common strategy to increase the mechanical performance and compatibility of the blend is to add a compatibilizer. The effects of compatibilizer addition on the morphological and mechanical characteristics of polymer blends are examined in detail in this knowledge-based article. It offers a thorough examination of the fundamental processes, the impact of compatibilizer kind and concentration, and the ensuing modifications to blend morphology and mechanical behavior. The goal of this article is to improve our knowledge of compatibilizers’ ability to efficiently alter the properties of polymer blends by reviewing the most recent studies in the field.
Overview
1.1 Polymer Blends: Polymer blends are composed of two or more immiscible polymers that can be mixed to create desired functions and properties.
1.2 Difficulties with Polymer Blends: Reduced performance, poor mechanical qualities, and phase separation are frequently the results of incompatibility between polymer components.
1.3 The Function of Compatibilizers: Compatibilizers are added to blends to improve mechanical characteristics and blend miscibility by strengthening the interfacial contacts between immiscible polymer phases.
Mechanisms of Compatibilization
2.1 Interfacial Tension Reduction: By lowering interfacial tension between phases of immiscible polymers, compatibilizers improve polymer chain dispersion and intermingling.
2.2 Reactive Compatibilization: Reactive compatibilizers enhance blend miscibility and interfacial adhesion by forming covalent bonds or grafting processes at the interface.
2.3 Compatibilizer Localization: Compatibilizers have a tendency to gather at the interface, where they provide an interfacial layer that prevents phase separation and lessens interfacial tension.
Effect of Type of Compatibilizer
3.1 Block Copolymers: Because they can self-assemble and create interfaces between immiscible polymer phases, block copolymers—such as diblock or triblock copolymers—are frequently utilized as compatibilizers.
3.2 Graft Copolymers: These copolymers have a side chain that has functional groups that can interact with the components of the polymer mix to promote compatibility, and a backbone polymer chain.
3.3 Reactive Compatibilizers: These compatibilizers have functional groups that can interact chemically with the components of the polymer blend to produce covalent bonds and better interfacial adhesion.
Impact of Compatibilizer Concentration
4.1 Optimal Compatibilizer Concentration: The compatibilizer’s ability to improve blend morphology and mechanical properties is maximized at a certain concentration.
4.2 Overcompatibilizer: Higher concentrations of compatibilizer may cause a third phase to form or phase inversion, which would be detrimental to the qualities of the blend.
4.3 Inadequate Compatibilizer: Inadequate compatibilizer concentration can result in limited improvement in blend characteristics and inadequate interfacial adhesion.
Morphological alterations
5.1 Blend Miscibility: The inclusion of a compatibilizer improves blend miscibility by lowering the size and quantity of scattered domains and encouraging a more uniform dispersion of polymer phases.
5.2 Interfacial Adhesion: Phase separation is prevented and interfacial tension is reduced when compatibilizers increase the interfacial adhesion between polymer phases.
5.3 Interfacial Morphology: Depending on the compatibilizer type and concentration, compatibilizers can cause interfacial alterations such as core-shell morphologies, co-continuous structures, or interfacial layers.
Mechanical Property Enhancement
6.1 Tensile Strength and Modulus: Compatibilizers increase the interfacial adhesion and decrease the concentration of stress at the interface, hence enhancing the tensile strength and modulus of polymer blends.
6.2 Impact Resistance: By encouraging energy dissipation and halting the spread of cracks within the mix, compatibilizer addition increases the impact resistance of polymer blends.
6.3 Flexibility and Ductility: By enhancing blend morphology and lowering brittleness, compatibilizers can improve the flexibility and ductility of polymer blends.
Strategies of Compatibilization for Particular Polymer Systems
7.1 Compatibilization of Thermoplastic and Polymer Elastomer Blends: Methods for enhancing the mechanical characteristics and compatibility of thermoplastic and polymer elastomer blends.
7.2 Polymer/Inorganic Filler Blend Compatibilization: Methods of compatibilization to improve the interfacial adhesion and dispersion in polymer/inorganic filler composites.
7.3 Compatibilization of Polymer/Reinforcement Fiber Composites: Methods for enhancing the mechanical performance and compatibility of composites made of polymers and reinforcement fibers.
