Solid-state NMR studies on phase behavior and motional mobility in binary blends of polystyrene and poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate)

The phase behavior and motional mobility in binary blends of polystyrene (PS) and poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate) (PCHMA) have been investigated by solid state ¹³C NMR techniques. The blend miscibility has been studied by examining the ¹H spin-relaxation times in the laboratory frame (T₁ ^H) and in the rotating frame (T_1ρ ^H) for the PCHMA/PS blends with various compositions and pure components. The T_1ρ ^H results show that PCHMA and PS are intimately mixed at the molecular level within the blends at all compositions. In addition, according to the results of carbon T_1ρ relaxation time measurements, we conclude that mixing is intimate enough to cause a reduction in local chain mobility for PS, but an increase in side chain mobility for PCHMA.