Immiscible blends constitute an important class of materials because the combination of different polymers, having complementary properties, can lead to intermediate characteristics. Unfortunately, the mechanical properties of immiscible systems are deceptive because of the poor adhesion between the phases. Therefore, hundreds of papers have been published aiming at a control of the phase
... [Show full abstract] dispersion and stability of morphology of immiscible blends, and to the adhesion between phases. This can be achieved by using different sorts of compatibilizers, added to the polymers involved, which are often semicrystalline. The purpose of this chapter is to review the crystallization behavior of immiscible blends following the addition of tailored graft or block copolymers, the addition of nanoparticles (or targeted fillers) at the interface between phases, the application of flow, reactive blending, and the formation of cocontinuous morphologies, and, finally, their behavior in thin and ultrathin films. Selected and important examples are described illustrating the key principles in this field.
