Preparation of a monodisperse poly (N-phenylmaleimide–acrylonitrile–styrene) structural nanolatex for heat-resistant modification of PVC

Abstract

A monodisperse poly ( N-phenylmaleimide–acrylonitrile–styrene) (PNAS) nanolatex was synthesized via seed microemulsion polymerization. The obtained PNAS nanolatex was then directly used as an organic nanofiller to prepare polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/PNAS hybrid composite through water blending and melt compounding. The characteristics of PNAS nanolatex were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, elemental analysis, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope (TEM), dynamic laser lighting scattering (DLS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). FTIR and elemental analysis confirmed the formation of PNAS copolymer with high monomers conversion; meanwhile, for the PNAS nanoparticles, the morphology of a well-defined core–shell spherical structure with average diameter ranging from 156 nm to 249 nm was observed. DSC analysis and TGA indicated that both polymers had excellent compatibility, and the corresponding heat resistance of PVC was greatly improved with the addition of PNAS. When PNAS loading was 50 wt%, the glass transition temperature value of PVC/PNAS hybrid composite was increased by 22.4°C, compared with that of pristine PVC. The mechanical properties of the PVC composite were also enhanced with the addition of PNAS.