Reactive blending of a functionalized polyethylene with a semiflexible liquid crystalline copolyester

Reactive blends (50/50 w/w) of a low molar mass polyethylene containing free carboxylic groups (PEox) and a semiflexible liquid crystalline polyester (SBH 1 : 1 : 2, by Eniricerche) have been prepared at 240 degrees C in a Brabender mixer, in the presence of Ti(OBu)(4) catalyst, for different mixing times (15, 60, and 120 min). In order to prove the formation of a PE-g-SBH copolymer, the blends have been fractionated by successive extractions with boiling toluene and xylene. The soluble fractions and the residues have been analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry (TG and DTG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)…