Abstract
Maleic anhydride (MA) grafted with poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT)—abbreviated as PTT-g-MA—can be used as a compatibilizing agent to improve the compatibility and dispersion of nanofillers and a dispersed polymer phase into PTT matrix. This work suggests the preparation of PTT-g-MA using a mixture of PTT, MA, and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) by a reactive extrusion process. PTT-g-MA was characterized to confirm the grafting reaction of maleic anhydride on PTT chains by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Thermal properties (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)) and rheological analysis (parallel plates rheology) were used to prove the changes that occurred after the graphitization reaction. The reactive processing route allowed the production of the compatibilizing agent (PTT-g-MA) with good thermal properties and with lower viscosity compared to neat PTT, and this could be an alternative for the compatibilization of polymer blends, as example for PTT/ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) blends and nanocomposites based on PTT matrix.
Highlights
Polymeric blends and nanocomposites have been developed over the years with the aim of creating new materials with desirable features
Hezavehi et al [6] studied the properties of polypropylene and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PP/PTT) blends using maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) as compatibilizer, and the results showed improved adhesion between the phases with the addition of the compatibilizer
The effectiveness of the obtained compatibilizing agent was verified in a PTT/Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) blend through the analysis of morphology
Summary
Polymeric blends and nanocomposites have been developed over the years with the aim of creating new materials with desirable features. Compatibility is promoted by the presence of functional groups which undergo interaction [3] These agents graft polymers by reactive reactions, typically using maleic anhydride (MA) or acrylic acid (AA). Hezavehi et al [6] studied the properties of polypropylene and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PP/PTT) blends using maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) as compatibilizer, and the results showed improved adhesion between the phases with the addition of the compatibilizer. The current work suggests the development of a new compatibilizing agent, poly(trimethylene terephthalate) grafted maleic anhydride (PTT-g-MA), obtained by a reactive extrusion process. The reactive melt mixing was conducted by mixing PTT, MA, and initiator (2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(tert-butylperoxy) hexane at 240 ◦C for 5 min at a speed of 100 rpm They concluded that this compatibilizing agent significantly reduced the phases’ sizes, generating strong interfacial interactions and improved mechanical properties. The effectiveness of the obtained compatibilizing agent was verified in a PTT/ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) blend through the analysis of morphology
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