Enhanced phase segregation induced by dipolar interactions in polymer blends

Abstract

We present a generalized theory for studying phase separation in polymer blends containing dipoles on their backbone. The theory is used to construct co-existence curves and study the effects of dipolar interactions on interfacial tension for a planar interface between the coexisting phases. It is shown that mismatch in monomeric dipole moments leads to destabilization of homogeneous phase. Corrections to the Flory-Huggins phase diagram are predicted using the theory. Furthermore, it is found that interfacial tension increases with an increase in the mismatch. Density profiles and interfacial tensions are constructed for diffuse and sharp polymer-polymer interfaces by extending Cahn-Hilliard and Helfand-Tagami-Sapse’s treatment, respectively. Correlating dipole moments with the dielectric constant of pure phases, it is demonstrated that effects of mismatch between the dipole moments of the two monomers is equivalent to the dielectric mismatch between the polymers.