LCST and UCST behavior in polymer solutions and blends

We introduce a model for polymer solutions and blends that display both an upper and a lower critical solution temperature (UCST, LCST). Using our simple analytic lattice theory along with a fixed parameter set independent of both composition and temperature, we study solutions and blends exhibiting complicated miscibility patterns, including cases in which a UCST is below an LCST, or above. With respect to the former, we examine the conditions under which a so-called hourglass phase diagram may evolve. Where possible we compare directly with experiment, however, we also explore the behaviour of a number of hypothetical solutions and blends. One experimental solution of particular interest comprises star polystyrene (PS) and cyclohexane: in this case we supply what we believe are the only measured pressure-volume-temperature data for a high molecular weight (5.2 x 10(5) g/mol) star PS. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.