Miscibility, water uptake, ion exchange capacity, conductivity and dielectric studies of poly(methyl methacrylate) and cellulose acetate blends

Abstract

In the last few decades, polymer blends with good miscibility and conductivity have been the focus of study for material scientists. Here, polymer blends of Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and Cellulose acetate (CA) of varying blend compositions have been prepared by solution casting method and their miscibility, water uptake, ion exchange capacity (IEC) proton conductivity, and dielectric properties have been studied. Dimethyl formamide (DMF) was used as solvent. Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements have been used to analyze the miscibility of the blends. Up to 50/50 PMMA/CA, water uptake showed an increasing trend and for other compositions the value decreased. Ion exchange capacity and conductivity of the blends decreased with increase in PMMA content of the blends. The variations in the blend properties have been attributed to the presence of specific interactions and exchangeable groups in the blend system. The proton conductivity of the blends is in the order of 10-3 S cm-1. Impedance analysis of the blends indicated the absence of any relaxation phenomenon in the blend system. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3074-3081, 2013 Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.