Study of polystyrene/titanium dioxide nanocomposites via melt compounding for optical applications

Alexander Chandra, Lih Sheng Turng*, Shaoqin Gong, David C. Hall, Daniel F. Caulfield, Hsinjin Yang

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

This article presents the study of melt compounding of polystyrene (PS) with various types of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and surfactants, using a corotating twin screw extruder with multiple screw element configurations. It was found that a property designed high shear screw configuration and the copolymer of silicone, ethylene oxide, and propylene oxide-based surfactant produced the greatest degree of nanoparticle dispersion in PS/TiO2 nanocomposites, whereas a silane-based surfactant and silicon dioxide (SiO2) or aluminum oxide (Al2O 3) coated TiO2 nanoparticles yielded nanocomposites with the least photocatalytic degradation effects and the best retention of tensile and impact properties.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)241-250
Number of pages10
JournalPolymer Composites
Volume28
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 04 2007
Externally publishedYes

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