Compatibilization with ionic interactions

A route to compatibility involving ionomers has been described recently by Eisenberg and coworkers [250-252]. The use of ionic interactions between different polymer chains to produce new materials has gained tremendous importance. Choudhury et al. [60] reported compatibilization of NR-polyolefin blends with the use of ionomers (S-EPDM). Blending with thermoplastics and elastomers could enhance the properties of MPR. The compatibility of copolyester TPE, TPU, flexible PVC, with MPR in aU proportions, enables one to blend any combination of these plastics with MPR to cost performance balance. Myrick has reported on the effect of blending MPR with various combinations and proportions of these plastics and provided a general guideline for property enhancement [253]. 

The addition of a functional or reactive polymer as a compatibilizer involves the use of a polymer chemically identical to one of the components of the blend, which has been functionalized with certain groups (e.g. polar groups) that have some affinity for the other blend component. This functional group may chemically react with the blend component or only interact with it by polar or ionic interactions. 

The polymer may be modified with functional or reactive groups in a reactor or an extruder, via reactive extrusion. Polyolefin modified with maleic anhydride, acrylic acid, glycidyl methacrylate, acid groups neutralized with a metal cation (ionomer), itaconic acid, or anhydride or similar compounds have been widely reported as compatibilizers because these groups have the ability to form a chemical linkage or a polar or ionic interaction with polar polymers such as polyamides (PAs), polyesters, and others. 

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