Kinetics-controlled compatibilization of immiscible polypropylene/polystyrene blends using nano-SiO2 particles

Rigid inorganic filler has been long time used as a reinforcement agent for polymer materials. Recently, more work is focused on the possibility that using filler as a compatibilizer for immiscible polymer blends. In this article, we reported our efforts on the change of phase morphology and properties of immiscible polypropylene(PP)/polystyrene(PS) blends compatibilized with nano-SiO2 particles. The effects of filler content and mixing time on the phase morphology, crystallization behavior, rheology, and mechanical properties were investigated by SEM, DSC, ARES and mechanical test. A drastic reduction of PS phase size and a very homogeneous size distribution were observed by introducing nano-SiO2 particles in the blends at short mixing time. However, at longer mixing time an increase of PS size was seen again, indicating a kinetics-controlled compatibilization. This conclusion was further supported by the unchanged glass transition temperature of PS and by increased viscosity in the blends after adding nano-SiO2 particles. The compatibilization mechanism of nano-SiO2 particles in PP/PS blends was proposed based on kinetics consideration.