Measurement of hydrodynamic interaction parameter for miscibility test of polymer blends by positron lifetime method

Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy is used to determine the free volume content in the blends of SAN/PMMA and PS/PVC. Though the free volume data indicate the miscible/immiscible nature of the blends, the extent of miscibility for different weight compositions is not forthcoming. Therefore the hydrodynamic interaction parameter α which accounts for the excess friction between the constituents of the blend system is evaluated for this purpose. The SAN/PMMA system produces a maximum α of -209 at 20% of PMMA concentration while PS/PVC almost zero. It appears sound that hydrodynamic interaction parameter, α, is a suitable parameter to understand the composition dependent miscibility level in polymer blends. (author)