Investigation of the optothermal properties of a new polymeric blend: polymethyl-methacrylate–poly(ethylene-co-vinylacetate)

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Abstract
A new polymeric blend, polymethyl methacrylate–poly(ethylene-co-vinylacetate) (PMMA–EVA) has been produced recently in our laboratories. The optothermal characterization of PMMA–EVA was carried out by measuring the ultraviolet photoacoustic spectra of PMMA, EVA, and PMMA–EVA (25°C, 220–350 nm), of a PMMA–EVA blend (250–750 nm) at two temperatures (19°C and 65°C), and by measuring the scattering coefficient (at 514.5 nm) of PMMA–EVA versus the temperature in the range 38–86°C. Our measurements show that, in the explored thermal range, the blend undergoes a phase transition when its optical properties change drastically. The peculiar optical and thermal properties observed appear attractive for possible applications as temperature-controlled optical devices.