Syndiotactic Polystyrene/Poly(3‐Octyl Thiophene) Nanocomposite

Abstract

Among five crystal modifications (α, β, γ, δ, and ε), the δ‐form of syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) has attracted many researches because the δ‐form of sPS has the ability to adsorb guest molecules producing clathrate or intercalate co‐crystals of sPS. Herein, sPS‐poly(3‐octyl thiophene) (P3OT) composite has been developed with the expectation of formation of P3OT aggregates onto or into the ordered structures of sPS. Nanocomposites have been characterized by DSC, FT‐IR, XRD, and absorption studies. Thermal studies show a reduction of gel melting temperature in presence of P3OT. The interaction between sPS and P3OT has been investigated by FTIR and XRD studies. Absorption spectra reveal the aggregation of P3OT chains within the sPS matrix. AFM topology is revealing the formation of fibrillar morphology of composite ruling out the possibility macroscopic phase separation within nanocomposite and rheological studies show the enhancement of the strength of sPS–P3OT composite network as compared to sPS network.