EFFECT OF SOLVENT OR HYDROPHILIC POLYMER ON THE HYDRATION MELTING BEHAVIOR OF POLYACRYLONITRILE

Abstract

The effect of solvent, DMF, and hydrophilic polymer on the hydration melting behavior of Tae Kwang polyacrylonitrile-based copolymer (T-PAN) was investigated by DSC measurement. The melting temperature (T(m)) of T-PAN was sharply lowered by incorporating water under autogenous pressure, but leveled off above a critical water content: 23 wt%. However, an additional incorporation of DMF into the hydrated T-PAN further lowered the T(m), even above the critical water content. On the other hand, addition of water-soluble poly(acrylic acid), poly(vinyl alcohol), and poly(ethylene glycol) or water-swellable starch to the hydrated PAN slightly raised the T(m). (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.