Conformation blend interphase

CONFORMATION OF POLYMER CHAINS IN A POLYMER BLEND INTERPHASE... 

By definition, the free energy of mixing of a polymer blend interphase is positive, or else molecular mixing would continue to completion, and at equilibrium the interphase would vanish. Helfand and Tagami (10,11) developed a mean-field theory of polymer interfaces, or interphases, as they are now called. They were particularly interested in the equilibrium composition and interphase density across the interphase, the interfacial tension and thickness (see Section 12.3.7.2), and conformation of the polymer chains making up the interphase. 

As the use of polymers continues to increase in multi-component and multiphase applications, such as in polymer blends and composites, the behavior of polymers at interphases and the degree of mixing polymer segments in their blends become critical issues. Understanding how the conformations and mobilities of polymer chains in these heterogeneous systems compare with those observed in their homogeneous bulk systems may provide a point of departure in the discussions of their physical characteristics. 

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