Investigation of compatibility of a dicyanate ester monomer and polysulfone by size-exclusion chromatography and viscometry

The influence of solvent on the compatibility behaviour of Arocy B10, a cyanate ester monomer, and polysulfone (PSF) was investigated by means of dilute solution viscometry and of the preferential solvation parameter at 25degreesC. The ternary systems under study are: tetrahydrofuran/Arocy B10/polysulfone (PSF), NN-dimethylformamide/Arocy B10/PSF and dichloromethane/Arocy B10/PSF. Values of the specific viscosity of PSF in a 'binary solvent' formed by Arocy B10 + solvent have been used to determine the compatibility of the polymer blend Arocy B10/PSF. An interaction parameter Ab that depends on concentration has been determined. The preferential solvation parameter was measured by size-exclusion chromatography at different monomer-to-polymer ratios. PSF was found to be preferentially solvated by the monomer. Both techniques agree quantitatively in every system indicating maximum compatibility at the same Arocy B10 concentration. However, they differ when comparing the two parameters among the three systems. (C) 2003 Society of Chemical Industry.