Compatibility of block copolymers on blends of polysulfone and semiaromatic polyester crystalline polymer

Two block copolymers, polysulfone-polyethylene terephthalate (PSF- PET) and polysulfone-polyhydroxybenzoate (PSF-PHB), were synthesized in order to compatibilize the blends of polysulfone (PSF) and a semiaromatic thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCPA1). A PSF-PET block copolymer exhibits better compatibility. Only 2% of PSF-PET copolymer can reduce the interfacial tension of a PSF and TLCPA1 phase, which makes TLCPA1 form of fine microfiber phase and distributes in a PSF matrix uniformly. Furthermore, the blend containing 2% PSF-PET exhibits better mechanical properties than uncompatibilized blends. Comparatively speaking, the PSF-PHB block copolymer shows poor compatibility to PSF/TLCP blends. The compatibility comparison of copolymers having different block lengths shows that the compatibility of a copolymer depends on not only its composition but also its block length.