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Polystyrene/calcium carbonate nanocomposites prepared by in situ polymerization in the presence of maleic anhydride
Author(s) -
Luo Weihua,
Liu Xingxing,
Sun Limin
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.37566
Subject(s) - materials science , nanocomposite , differential scanning calorimetry , polystyrene , maleic anhydride , polymer chemistry , in situ polymerization , composite material , polymerization , small angle x ray scattering , scanning electron microscope , calcium carbonate , copolymer , chemical engineering , polymer , scattering , physics , thermodynamics , engineering , optics
Abstract Polystyrene (PS)/calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) nanocomposites were prepared by in situ polymerization in the presence of maleic anhydride (MA). The composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, controlled stress rheometer, scanning electron microscope (SEM), small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), and mechanical test. Results show that the copolymer of styrene (St) and MA formed during the polymerization acts as a compatibilizer between PS and nanometer calcium carbonate (nano‐CaCO 3 ) particles, resulting in an increase in the glass transition temperature of the composite. The complex modulus and the impact strength of the PS/nano‐CaCO 3 composite show an increase with the addition of MA on account of the enhanced interfacial adhesion and the increased molecular weight. SEM and SAXS analyses indicate that a finer dispersion of nanoparticles and an increased homogeneity of the PS/nano‐CaCO 3 composites are obtained with application of a small amount of MA. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci., 2013