Morphology and properties of isotactic polypropylene/polystyrene in situ microfibrillar reinforced blend nanocomposite fibers

Polypropylene/polystyrene blends containing organically modified montmorillonite (organoclay) were prepared using a twin screw extruder followed by fiber spinning. The melt intercalation of PP/PS blend was carried out in the presence of a compatibilizer. The crystallization, morphology, thermal behaviors and mechanical properties of PP/PS/ organoclay blends nanocomposite fibers were investigated. The improved adhesion between phases and fine morphology of the dispersed phase contributed to the significant improvement in the properties of the final blend nanocomposite fibers. On the basis of this result, we described a general understanding of how the morphology is related to the final properties of organoclay-incorporated PP/PS blends. The degree of fractionated crystallization is dependent on the interface of PS droplets and surrounding medium which could be controlled by nucleating effect of organoclay and dispersed phase and surpassing chain motion by silicate layers.