Blending poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) with hydrophobic polymers as a hybrid adhesive with enhanced water-resistant properties

The use of poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEOX) in a wet environment is limited because of its high hydrophilicity. In this study, PEOX based blends were prepared via blending PEOX with hydrophobic polymers, such as poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (SAN), poly(4-vinylphenol) (PVPh), and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), in order to improve the water-resistance of PEOX. The blends' water resistance properties are evaluated by the contact angle, solubility, moisture absorption, and mechanical strength in a wet environment. The results show that the water resistance and the adhesion strength of PEOX in a wet environment are dramatically enhanced by polymer blending. The blend with 30 wt% PVPh demonstrates excellent performances in transparency and water-resistant abilities. It is found that the stable hydrogen bonding within the blend plays an important role in hydrophobic modification. The PVPh/PEOX blend can be applied as a new type of transparent coating or adhesive with enhanced water-resistant properties in a wet environment.