Fabrication and Characterization of SPS-Based Multi-Component Nanocomposites

Due to its superior properties and complex polymorphic structure, syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) has attracted a great deal of commercial and academic interests since 1986. At least four different crystalline forms, termed α, β, γ and δ, have been reported for it. The four different forms, in fact, correspond to different physical properties (e.g., melting temperature, crystallization rate ….). In spite of possessing many advantages over certain commercially important engineering plastics, sPS shows disadvantages of slower crystallization rate and lower impact strength. In order to broaden its applications, sPS can be foreseen to be used as a component for blends and/or composites. Some results regarding the studies of sPS-based blends, including sPS/aPS, sPS/iPS, sPS/PPO and sPS/PVME systems, were reported. However, up till now, the studies on the sPS-based composites were limited, especially for the multi-component nanocomposite systems. In this 3-year research project, the sPS- and sPS-blend based nanocomposites will be thus prepared, and then be characterized in detail to reveal the relationship between structure and properties. In the first year, sPS/organoclay nanocomposites with different types/loadings of organoclays will be prepared and investigated. Additionally, different tougheners will be incorporated into the sPS/organoclay nanocomposites to develop toughened sPS/organoclay nanocomposites. In the second year, neat and modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) will be used as the nanofillers, instead of organoclays, to prepare sPS/MWNT nanocomposites for characterizations. In the third year, sPS/PPO/organoclay and sPS/PPO/MWNT nanocomposites with sPS as the main component will be prepared for characterizations. The studies on the relationship among structure-phase morphology-properties of the prepared nanocomposites will be focused, especially the crystal form developed for sPS. The instruments and equipments that will be employed for this research project include: DSC, TGA, PLM, FESEM/EDS, TEM, WAXD, SAXS, rheometer, twin screw extruder, internal mixer, tensile/flexural/impact tester etc.

Project ID:PB9907-10765
External Project ID:NSC99-2221-E182-006