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Identification and Measurement of Intermolecular Interaction in Polyester/Polystyrene Blends by FTIR-Photoacoustic Spectrometry

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Abstract

Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectrometry was used to reveal and identify n–π type intermolecular interaction formed in plastic comprising binary blends of polystyrene and a biodegradable polymer, either polylactic acid, polycaprolactone or poly(tetramethyleneadipate-co-terephthalate). This was the first reported direct and definitive experimental evidence of n–π type bond formation in thermoplastic blends of these polyesters with polystyrene. Also, an infrared method was devised that permits quantitative measurement of the degree of interaction between the two polymers at various concentrations in the blends. The method employs spectral deconvolution by least squares curve fitting of the polymer carbonyl band into its underlying peaks. In a new algorithm the method compares deconvoluted Gaussian/Lorentzian peaks of the polymer blends with deconvoluted peaks in the neat polymers and computes both the magnitude and direction of change in the n–π bond formation with change in polymer concentration. The results indicated that the degree of interaction was dependent on the type and concentration of the biodegradable polymer in the blend. These findings are supported by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analyses. Unlike conventional spectral deconvolution methods, this technique with its new algorithm approximates infrared absorptivities of all the underlying peaks, and is thus a superior method that should be applicable to multicomponent polymer blends in general.

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Acknowledgments

The authors appreciate the excellent technical assistance of McShell (Hairston) Clarke in conducting the FTIR-PAS tests, and Christopher James, Betty Ahlgren and Paulette Smith in preparing the polymer blends for analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Polymer Research, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1815N. University Street, Peoria, IL, 61604, USA

    S. H. Gordon

  2. Department of Food Science and Nutrition, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia

    A. A. Mohamed

  3. Bio-Oils Research, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1815N. University Street, Peoria, IL, 61604, USA

    R. E. Harry-Okuru & G. Biresaw

Authors
  1. S. H. Gordon
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  2. A. A. Mohamed
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  3. R. E. Harry-Okuru
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  4. G. Biresaw
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Correspondence to S. H. Gordon.

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The mention of firm names or trade products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture over other firms or similar products not mentioned. All programs and services of the U.S. Department of Agriculture are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status or disability.

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Gordon, S.H., Mohamed, A.A., Harry-Okuru, R.E. et al. Identification and Measurement of Intermolecular Interaction in Polyester/Polystyrene Blends by FTIR-Photoacoustic Spectrometry. J Polym Environ 23, 459–469 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-015-0731-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-015-0731-x

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