Compatibilizing effect of mesoporous fillers on the mechanical properties and morphology of polypropylene and polystyrene blend

Polypropylene(PP)/Polystyrene(PS) (PP/PS = 80/20) blend with different types of fillers were prepared by using melt method. Four different types of fillers, namely mesoporous MCM-41 (without template), nano-SiO(2), Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)/MCM-41 and PMMA/SiO(2) were considered. For PMMA/MCM-41 filler, the synthesis of the filler consisting of entrapped strand of PMMA within the pores of mesoporous MCM-41 (without template) was described. The mechanical properties of the blend determined as the nano-fillers contents and the different types of blend were found to vary with the different interface between fillers and the matrix. SEM revealed a good interaction between the matrix phases and PMMA/MCM-41 or MCM-41 (without template). The decreased T(g) of PS implied that the good adhesion between PP and PS blend was obtained by adding PMMA/MCM-41 nano-filler. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.