Ionomeric Blends of Poly(ethyl acrylate-co-4-vinylpyridine) with Zinc-Neutralized Sulfonated Poly(ethylene terephthalate). 1. Effect of Specific Interactions upon the Amorphous Phase

Compatibilization of an immiscible polymer pair, poly(ethyl acrylate) and poly(ethylene terephthalate), was accomplished by incorporatingvinylpyridine groups and zinc-neutralized sulfonate groups, respectively, along the polymer chains. The compatibility of this multiphase ionomeric blend resulted from the formation of a zinc-pyridine-sulfonate group coordination complex between polymer chains. The nature and degree of this complexation were successfully probed with FTIR spectroscopy. Two blend compositions with one containing a stoichiometric amount of the interacting groups were prepared. The degree of compatibility was established with DSC and DMTA. It was found that the level of mixing depended upon the extent of specific interactions between the polymer chains