Effect of styrene‐4‐vinyl pyridine diblock copolymer on morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties of poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene ether)/polyethylene ionomer blends

The compatibilizing effects of a styrene‐4‐vinyl pyridine diblock copolymer on the properties of immiscible poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene ether) (PPE)/polyethylene ionomer (Surlyn) blends are investigated by examining the phase morphology and the thermal and mechanical properties. The block copolymer is synthesized by sequential anionic polymerization at −78°C and melt‐mixed with PPE and Surlyn at 290°C. When a small amount of block copolymer is present, the domain size of the dispersed phase becomes smaller. The tensile strength and elongation at break increase with addition of the block copolymer for PPE‐rich matrix blends, whereas the tensile strength increases but the elongation at break decreases for Surlyn‐rich matrix blends. These effects are interpreted in terms of the interfacial activity and the reinforcing effect of the block copolymer. From the experimental results, it is concluded that the block copolymer plays a role as an effective compatibilizer for PPE/Surlyn blends.