An Elastomer-Toughened PPS Derived from the Behavior of Titanate Layers as a Compatibilizer

Abstract

A poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS)-based nanocomposite (PPSNC) filled with titanate layers was used as a matrix polymer in a PPS/maleic anhydride ethylene butadiene co-polymer (MA-EBR) blend. The toughness of the PPS was increased significantly, because the inorganic titanate layers behaved as an effective compatibilizer to enhance the blending effect of MA-EBR. Scanning electron microscopy analysis confirmed that MA-EBR domains were finer and uniformly dispersed with a small particle size in the PPS matrix. In addition, transmission electron microscopy analysis proved that titanate layers aggregated at the interface between the PPS and MA-EBR. On the other hand, the initial morphology of the titanate layer in the PPSNC was maintained when untreated EBR was used as the domain polymer. The morphologies of titanate layers in the three types of polymers blended with this nanocomposite technique, including PPSNC/PA6, were investigated to discuss the factor which titanate layers affect the morphology of domain polymers, and it was indicated that the behavior of titanate layers was governed by an affinity between polymers and titanate layer surface.