Miscibility studies of starch and poly(4-styrene sulfonic acid) blend system

Abstract

Polymeric solutions were prepared using blends of starch with poly(4-styrene sulfonic acid) (PSSA) in water and their miscibility was determined by viscosity studies at 30 °C, 40 °C and 50 °C. Using interaction parameters such as Krigbaum’s (?b), Hong’s (?k<inf>AB</inf>), Chee’s (?), Sun’s (?), polymer-polymer, blend-solvent and heat of mixing there was the existence of positive interactions in the blend polymer solutions only up to 80% PSSA content. A significant variation of miscibility was observed with increase in temperature in the sample containing 70% PSSA content. Polymer blend films obtained by solution casting showed hydrogen bonding in Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) studies. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) studies also supported the results. A uniform surface of the miscible blend films were observed in scanning electron microscopy images, whereas segregation was observed for the immiscible blends. © 2014, Sphinx Knowledge House. All Rights Reserved.