Poly(methyl methacrylate) blends with quaternized polyethyleneimine: A study of morphology, optical, thermal and mechanical properties

Affonso Netto, Rafael and Ribeiro de Carvalho, Guilherme and Henrique Staffa, Lucas and Maria Ferrareso Lona, Liliane (2025) Poly(methyl methacrylate) blends with quaternized polyethyleneimine: A study of morphology, optical, thermal and mechanical properties. EXPRESS POLYMER LETTERS, 19 (2). pp. 161-175. ISSN 1788-618X

Preview

Text EPL-0013115_article.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (4MB) | Preview

Abstract

This study aimed first to promote the alkylation of polyethyleneimine (PEI), developing its alkylated (quaternary) form (QA-PEI) by inserting alkyl groups into amine groups. Subsequently, polymer blends with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were prepared via solvent casting, and finally, the physicochemical, optical, and mechanical behavior of the resulting PMMA/QA-PEI were assessed. Elemental analyses, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR) confirmed that the PEI alkylation successfully converted the amine groups into quaternary ammonium groups. When added to PMMA, QA-PEI altered its coloration, making it yellow. In addition, higher contents of QA-PEI hindered PMMA transmittance and increased its opacity due to the larger QA-PEI domains. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that PMMA and QA-PEI formed a phase-separated system, establishing a droplet-matrix morphology. The thermal and mechanical behavior showed some compatibility between PMMA and QA-PEI as thermal resistance slightly improved and PMMA glass transition temperature (Tg) decreased. The tensile strength was also improved in the PMMA/QA-PEI blends without significant change in strain at break and tensile modulus.

Actions (login required)

Edit Item