Composition-dependent phase segregation and cocrystallization behaviors of blends of metallocene-catalyzed octene-LLDPE(D) and LDPE(H)

The morphological structures of slowly cooled blends of deuterated metallocene-catalyzed octene linear low-density polyethylene (O-mLLDPE(D)), and hydrogenous low-density polyethylene (LDPE(H)) were studied by using small angle neutron scattering in combination with complementary small angle X-ray scattering and differential scanning calorimetry. The phase segregation, which is more nanoscale than macroscale, and cocrystallization behaviors were found to vary with the blend composition. Phase-segregated O-mLLDPE(D) lamellae are predominantly formed in LDPE(H)-rich compositions. In contrast, few segregated O-mLLDPE(D) lamellae form in O-mLLDPE(D)-rich compositions, and instead O-mLLDPE(D) lamellar stacks are extensively cocrystallized with LDPE(H) mostly in the interlamellar amorphous region.