A novel approach to prepare PBT nanocomposites with elastomer‐modified SiO2 particles

Abstract

AbstractPoly(butylenes terephthalate) (PBT)/SiO2 nanocomposites with uniform dispersion, strong interfacial adhesion, and improved mechanical properties have been prepared by a novel approach. Ethylene‐methyl acrylate‐glycidyl methacrylate (E‐MA‐GMA) elastomer chains were first chemically grafted onto the surface of SiO2 nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectra result shows that elastomer‐modified SiO2 nanoparticles exhibit absorption at 2963–2862 cm−1 of the stretching modes of CH, which suggests the reaction between the hydroxyl groups of SiO2 surface and epoxy groups of E‐MA‐GMA. And the binding energy of Si2p and O1s of the elastomer‐modified SiO2 shifts to lower binding energy, which further confirms the formation of SiOC bonds. This surface treatment allows SiO2 nanoparticles homogeneously dispersing in PBT matrix. The morphology with loose aggregates contains networked SiO2 particles with an interparticle distance ranging from 0 to 30 nm. As a result, the storage modulus and the tensile properties of PBT/E‐MA‐GMA‐SiO2 nanocomposites are higher than those of pure PBT and PBT with untreated SiO2. The incorporation of E‐MA‐GMA‐modified SiO2 particles increases the tensile strength and modulus to 58.4MPa and 2661MPa respectively, which is 8% and 16% higher than those of pure PBT. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers