Sub-100 nm Cocontinuous Structures Fabricated in Immiscible Commodity Polymer Blend with Extremely Low Volume/Viscosity Ratio

Sub-100 nm cocontinuous structures were prepared successfully in poly(vinylidene fluoride)/poly(l-lactic acid) (PVDF/PLLA) blend with extremely low volume/viscosity ratio by melting blending. The reactive compatibilizer with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) side chains and random epoxide groups plays an important role in the formation and the size decrease of these structures. On one hand, PMMA side chains exhibit excellent entanglement with PVDF; on the other hand, the epoxide groups can react with carboxyl group of PLLA. The resultant comb-like compatibilizer exhibits greater capacity to maintain the stress balance on two sides. The repulsion state of the binary brushes enlarges the interface curvature radius, dominating the formation of cocontinuous structures.