Cole-Cole Curves Research Articles

Modulating polarization and conduction loss for optimized electromagnetic wave absorption performance of FeNi/ZnO/C/Ni3ZnC0.7 composites

Polarization loss and conduction loss are the important attenuation mechanisms in dielectric loss dominant electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbers, but their synergistic effects in different frequency bands need to be further investigated. In this study, FeNi/ZnO/C/Ni3ZnC0.7 composites (FNZC) were synthesized using a simple and environmentally friendly template-sacrificing method, with water as the only solvent.By varying the elemental addition, the phase and microstructure of the final product can be controlled, which in turn affects the conduction loss and polarization loss, thus altering the EMW absorption performance. The minimum reflection loss (RL) value and EAB of the optimized FNZC composite are –49.23 dB and 5.48 GHz (12.32–18.00 GHz), respectively, covering 99.9 % of the Ku band. Additionally, the RLmin values in the S, C, and X bands are below –17 dB. Based on the component regulation strategy and the analysis of electromagnetic parameters, Cole-Cole curves, and EMW absorption performance, it can be concluded that conduction loss is the primary factor contributing to strong absorption of low-frequency EMW. In contrast, interfacial polarization and defect-induced polarization are the main factors for strong absorption of medium- and high-frequency EMW.

Enhancement the electrical and linear/nonlinear optical properties of ZnCo2O4 through Al3+doping

In this work, ZnCo2O4 samples doped with Al3+ were prepared by the hydrothermal method. Synchrotron x-ray diffraction, FTIR, SEM and EDX techniques were used to investigate the structure, microstructure, morphology, and composition of ZnCo2-xAlxO4 samples. Rietveld analysis revealed a nearly inverse structure for the undoped ZnCo2O4. The degree of inversion is increased upon increasing the Al3+ doping content. Al ions preferentially occupy the octahedral B-site. The optical band gaps of ZnCo2−xAlxO4 samples are 1.9, 1.8 and 1.91 eV for x = 0, 0.1 and 0.2, respectively. Different empirical models were used to obtain the refractive index of the different samples using their corresponding optical band gaps. The increase in non-linear optical values in the sample with x = 0.1 suggested that this sample could be used in a variety of photonic applications. The effects of frequency and temperature on the dielectric permittivity, impedance and electrical modulus of different samples were explored. All samples exhibited the non-Debye relaxation phenomenon. The relaxation time of each sample is affected with the frequency and temperature. The Cole-Cole curve is employed to reduce uncertainty regarding the electrical characteristics of these ZnCo2−xAlxO4 samples induced by grain boundaries or bulk grain. The substitution of Al3+ ions can regulate the conductivity of the ZnCo2O4 sample.

Electronic structure, and dielectric, magnetic and reflection-loss behaviors of BaFe12-xMnxO19 (0 < x ≤ 2) hexaferrites

M−type hexaferrites doped with transition metals are important materials used widely in modern electronic devices. Although many research works considered their magnetic properties, the relation between their electronic structure and electromagnetic behaviors have been less taken into account, particularly Mn-doped M−type hexaferrites. This work presents a detailed study on the electronic structure, and dielectric, magnetic and reflection-loss behaviors of BaFe12-xMnxO19 (x = 0.5, 1 and 2) hexaferrite specimens prepared by conventional solid-state reactions. The analysis of X-ray absorption spectra proves a mixed oxidation state of Fe2+,3+ and Mn2+,3+ ions, and chemical shifts of Fe2+ → Fe3+ and Mn2+ → Mn3+ when x increases from 0.5 to 2. These factors change the unit-cell volume, and cause Mn3+-related Jahn-Teller distortions. Concurrently, the saturation magnetization Ms varies in the range from 24 to ∼31 emu/g, which is associated with interaction competitions between Fe2+,3+-Mn2+,3+ pairs and Fe2+-related spin canting. Having studied electromagnetic behaviors, we have found strong changes in values of the permittivity and permeability at frequencies f = 10∼15 GHz. For a thickness t = 2.4 mm, reflection-loss magnitudes of microwave are about 10 ∼ 11 dB (corresponding to above 90% microwave being absorbed), with an absorption bandwidth of ∼3 GHz. Assessments of the magnetic and dielectric loss tangents, and Cole-Cole curves indicate electrical energy dissipation associated with interfacial/dipolar polarizations and conductive loss playing a dominant role in microwave absorption of BaFe12-xMnxO19.

Impedance Spectroscopy Characterization of ZnCo2O4 Ceramics Obtained by the Sol-Gel Method

In this article, structural, morphological and electrical properties of ZnCo2O4 ceramics sample were studied. ZnCo2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized using sol-gel method. Structural and morphological properties of the sample were analyzed using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. Conductance, capacitance and impedance spectroscopy characterization of ZnCo2O4 ceramics sample were analyzed in 3 kHz-1.5 MHz frequency range and 300-500 K temperature range. Nyquist diagrams of impedance and the equivalent circuit were studied for ZnCo2O4 ceramics in the temperature range of 300-500 K. Cole-Cole curves of the impedance data were found to show a semicircular arc in both low and high temperature areas, which is expressed by the equivalent electrical circuit Rs (RgC g)(RgbQCgb ). Relaxation behavior was identified to be of non-Debye type. The Cole-Cole curve showed the negative temperature coefficient of resistance type behavior. Values of the activation energy corresponding to relaxation processes were found as 0.054 eV below 360 K and 0.561 eV above 360 K.

Achieving absorption-type electromagnetic shielding performance in silver micro-tubes/barium Ferrites/Poly(lactic acid) composites via enhancing impedance matching and electric-magnetic synergism

High conductivity can give materials excellent electromagnetic shielding performance, but it leads to serious impedance mismatching and causes inevitable secondary pollution. Developing materials with both excellent microwave absorption and microwave shielding performance remains a formidable challenge. Herein, absorption-type electromagnetic shielding materials with high electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EMW SE) values were successfully prepared by combining hollow silver micro-tubes and magnetic nano-barium ferrites. The electromagnetic parameters and impedance matching of the composites could be easily regulated by changing the ratio of silver micro-tubes (C) and nano-barium ferrites (M). Thanks to micro-tube structure and the electric-magnetic synergism of the fillers, the composites with the C:M ratio of 9:1 exhibited a high absorption coefficient (A) value of ∼0.77 and a high EMW SE value of ∼100 dB, simultaneously. The absorption-type shielding mechanism of the composites was also evaluated via discussing real and imaginary parts of complex permittivity, real and imaginary parts of complex permeability, and Cole-Cole curves. Furthermore, the composites with the C:M ratio of 3:7 exhibited excellent microwave adsorption performance with the minimum reflection loss of −46.3 dB at thickness of 3.0 mm and a maximum effective absorption band-width of 6.13 GHz.

Roles of aromatic oil, polyphosphoric acid and sulfur on the storage stability and compatibility of high-viscosity particle modified asphalt

High-viscosity particle modified asphalt (HVPMA) is one of the most popular asphalt binders for permeable pavement in China. This commercial high-viscosity particle modifier is usually rich in styrene–butadienestyrene (SBS) polymers, which brings marked storage stability and compatibility issues to HVPMA. Hence, this study aims to investigate the roles of aromatic oils (AO), polyphosphoric acid (PPA) and sulfur on the storage stability and compatibility of HVPMA. The effects of AO, PPA and sulfur on the overall performance of HVPMA are firstly investigated by physical, rheological tests and morphological observations. Through the cigar tube test, the effects of various additives on the storage stability of HVPMA are then analyzed. Lastly, the effects of various additives on the compatibility of HVPMA are determined by the Cole-Cole plot method via frequency scan test. Morphological observations indicate that the polymer phases become swelled and smoother after adding AO, and adding the chemical stabilizers can boost the formation of the network structures. The physical and rheological results show that the combination of PPA and sulfur makes the greatest contribution to the high-temperature performance improvement of HVPMA, followed by PPA and sulfur. Separation test results reflect that adding AO has little improvement on the storage stability of HVPMA, while the storage stability of HVPMA can be significantly improved by the addition of chemical stabilizers (i.e., PPA, sulfur, or a combination of both). The accuracy of the segregation index (SI) based on rheological properties is higher than that of the traditional softening point difference (SPD) index, and the SI value based on ZSV is easier to determine the segregation status. However, it is difficult to determine the correspondence between Cole-Cole curve symmetry and compatibility due to the influence of temperature, and the Cole-Cole curve method cannot provide sufficient information to determine the compatibility of HVPMA.

The influence of aluminum’s crystalline structure on the elastic, dielectric, and electrical properties of Ni ferrite

The authors investigate the effect of Al on the structural, elastic, and electrical properties of a Ni nano ferrite. Six samples of NiAl x Fe 2−x O 4 (where x = 0.00, 0.20, 0.40, 0.60, 0.80, and 1.00) were synthesized using flash auto combustion. As shown in XRD patterns, the lattice appears as a Fd-3m space group, a single-phase spinel structure with average crystallite size ranging from 22.4–24.7 nm for all samples. SEM and TEM images showed a uniform and spherical structural with a narrow size distribution. The results manifest significant changes in the elastic and electrical properties due to the presence of Al. As Al content increased, the bulk B, shear G, and Young E moduli decreased and remained in the same order of hundreds in the GPa range: however, the values of the Debye temperature θ D increased. The dielectric parameters ε′, ε″, and tan δ decreased as the frequency of the applied field and Al content increased: they also decreased as temperature increased. The relaxation times were for all samples. The electric moduli M′ and M″ increased as the frequency of the applied field and Al content increased, but they decreased as temperature increased. The relaxation times are dispersed depending on Al content, frequency, and temperature. The Cole-Cole curve showed two semicircles corresponding to the grain and grain boundary with the electrical relaxation of the non-Debye form. The electric impedance Z′ and Z″ increased as the frequency of the applied field and temperature increased, although they decreased as Al content increased. These results indicate that Ni-Al ferrite has respectable dielectric properties, which opens the door for many applications in control and safety monitoring tools, where dynamic process temperature sensors are of great importance and the temperature dependency of the material is significant.

Design paradigm for strong-lightweight perfect microwave absorbers: The case of 3D printed gyroid shellular SiOC-based metamaterials

Research on microwave absorbing (MA) metamaterials with multifunctional coupling designs is a burgeoning topic. Reported here is a design paradigm for architecting mechanically robust all-dielectric MA metamaterials reaching perfect electromagnetic wave absorption. First, we generalized rules of optimal permittivities for nonmagnetic materials reaching theoretically ultimate reflection loss (RL) smaller than −150 dB, and proposed a facile criterion for evaluating MA performance based on the offset of dielectric Cole-Cole curves from theoretical optimal values. Subsequently, electromagnetic tunable polymer-derived SiOC ceramics with the highest reported printing accuracy of 20 μm were developed as metamaterials matrix, and the strong-lightweight gyroid shell-cellular (shellular) is introduced to optimize the MA performance while balancing mechanical properties. Finally, as-fabricated gyroid shellular MA metamaterials exhibit an unmatched MA performance coupled with unparalleled mechanical properties: the minimum RL achieves the ceiling value of −70.3 dB, the effective absorption bandwidth spans the whole X-band, and the specific compressive strength is as high as 63.0 MPa/(g/cm3) at 0.606 g/cm3 ultralow density. Besides, the theoretical framework was well-established for guiding structural optimization and practical manufacturing of inhomogeneous metamaterials. This research advanced an unambiguous theoretical direction for the development of structure-function integrated MA metamaterials through the synergistic interaction among theory, computation, and experiment.

Wide band gap conducting oxides electrolyte materials for intermediate temperature SOFCs

The research was mainly aimed at comparing the commonly used oxide semiconductor, ZnO, ZnGa2O4 and CoGa2O4, as an electrolyte material suitable for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). Understanding the ionic conductivity performance of oxide semiconductors was evaluated by Cole-Cole plots in the temperature range of 25 and 700 °C. In addition, relaxation times, ionic activation energies, and conductivity values were calculated from Cole-Cole curves. Among the oxide semiconductors, the highest conductivity values were found for CoGa2O4 pellets within the grain size range from 30 to 100 µm.

Investigating the properties of rejuvenated asphalt with the modified rejuvenator prepared by waste cooking oil and waste tire crumb rubber

WROB modified rejuvenator prepared by waste tire crumb rubber (WTCR) and waste cooking oil (WCO) had tremendous potentiality in reactivating and modifying the aged asphalt. The compatibility, high and low-temperature rheological properties, anti-rutting, aging and fatigue resistance properties were assessed by dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), bending beam rheometer (BBR) and multiple stress creep and recovery (MSCR) tests. The Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) test results revealed that WTCR contained in WROB modified rejuvenator could regenerate the aged asphalt. The Cole-Cole curves showed that the WTCR has an active function in boosting compatibility. Moreover, the MSCR test results indicated that the WTCR had a functional effect on ameliorating the anti-rutting performance and reducing sensitivity to rutting of the rejuvenated asphalt. The indexes of anti-aging and G*·sin (δ) values respectively showed the contribution of WTCR to anti-aging performance and fatigue resistance of the rejuvenated asphalt. With 8.5% WROB modified rejuvenator, the high and low-temperature performance grade of the aged asphalt was recovered from 82–16 to 76–28. Besides, all the properties of WROB60 rejuvenated asphalt were outstanding. The properties of WROB regenerated asphalt were slightly decreased when the content of WTCR contained in the modified rejuvenator was greater than 60.

Impedance Eye Recording IER: A New Glaucoma Diagnostic Tool?

Described in 1941 by two New Yorker physicist brothers, KS Cole et RH Cole, who propose and publish together a new mathematical equation plotting polymers’ electrical reactance/resistance correlation, Rea/Res, named the Cole-Cole curve [1]. Since then, this method is used to know how sinusoïdal current goes through living tissues, be they vegetable or animal. Applied on the human body it is included in weighing machines to adapt sports training, for example. In medicine to evaluate many organs like lungs, breast [2] or skin tumours, heart and brain or to separate normal from tumoral cells. In Clinical Ophthalmology to our knowledge, they are not yet similar papers. At the present time PubMed, key words are for first eye impedance or eye and clinical impedance spectroscopy, in August 2021, 22 references without strict IER correlations and then none. Closest publications are Fukuda [3] to quantify corneal defects, Jürgens [4] about in vitro eye impedance and CA Gutierrez [5] about lens hydratation. In the University Eye Clinic electrophysiology lab, Lausanne Switzerland, together with MVM [6] and Fabrinal [7] we have modified the ERG-Jet (electroretinogram) contact lens from an electric retinal captor to an emitting electrical injector, thus describing and creating sure IER scientific basic data to obtain acceptable impedance ocular signal/noise recordings. Our first results show this method is easy to use, quick and without discomfort. Furthemore we found Rea/Res age-dependent [8]. Now we are in the process of collecting normal IER values on healthy young people to evaluate sensitivity then specificity. In the recent Springer paper [9] we describe a phantom glaucoma model to simulate extra/intra cell water concentrations in the ocular anterior chamber. Therefore, we found this pilot study a good predictive model. That is the reason why we presume that this relatively new IER providing Cole-Cole ocular curve can probably be a useful complementary tool to understand glaucomas and/or other ophthalmic diseases where extra/intra cell water concentrations are abnormal.

Effect of functionalized organic saponite on performance, crystallization and rheology of poly (lactic acid)

In the work, organic saponite (OSAP) was modified with dioctadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride and saponite by intercalation reaction. Moreover, functionalized OSAP (FOSAP) was prepared with OSAP, BASF chain extender Joncryl ® ADR 4468 and p-phenylenediamine. The optimum reaction conditions of FOSAP were optimized by orthogonal experiment. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results demonstrated that saponite had been successfully modified. Moreover, FOSAP/poly (lactic acid) (PLA) nanocomposites were prepared by melting intercalation with PLA and FOSAP. The mechanical properties, rheological behavior and crystallization properties of FOSAP/PLA nanocomposites were investigated. Mechanical properties showed that the impact strength and elongation at break of FOSAP/PLA nanocomposites reached 13.21 KJ/m2 and 71.47%, respectively, when the amount of FOSAP in PLA was 0.3 wt%. In addition, the Cole-Cole curve showed that FOSAP had strong interfacial compatibility with PLA. Furthermore, the crystallization behaviors of PLA before and after modification during isothermal crystallization at 150 °C were investigated by Rheonaut technology for simultaneous rheology and FTIR, which demonstrated that FOSAP effectively promoted the crystallization of PLA and increased the storage modulus. Avrami equation showed that FOSAP changed the nucleation growing mode and significantly accelerated the crystallization rate of PLA, therefore the comprehensive performance of PLA was improved.

Investigation of dielectric behavior in Ni0.7-xZn0.3MxFe2O4 (M=Mn/Co/Cu) ferrites by impedance spectroscopy

The electrical characteristics of the Mn/Co/Cu-substituted Ni–Zn ferrites prepared using the citrate technique have been explored in detail by ac impedance spectroscopy. Measurements between temperatures (373K–523 K) were observed over a broad frequency range of 100 Hz–1 MHz. Maxwell and Wagner's model was used to analyze the frequency dependence of dielectric parameters. Dielectric loss tangent versus frequency plots show relaxation peaks due to the coincidence of the frequency of charge hopping between the localized state and the outer field. The Cole-Cole curve was designed to investigate the complex impedance of the current systems. Two semicircles corresponding to the grain and grain boundary were observed. The investigation of the electrical modulus includes the electrical relaxation of the non-Debye form. The substitution of Ni ions by Mn/Co/Cu ions indicates a major improvement in the dielectric characteristics of Ni − Zn ferrite. The Ni–Zn–Cu ferrite series displays the best dielectric properties suggesting the capability of this series to be suitable for high-frequency devices.

Characterization of Bilayer Organic Solar Cells with Carbon Nanotubes Using Impedance Analysis.

Four organic solar cell (OSC) devices with the bilayer heterojunction architecture were investigated, where carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were doped within the acceptor layer. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the CNT-incorporated device with a concentration of 0.004 wt% is approximately 20% point higher than that of the reference one. As the concentration of CNTs became higher, the PCE of the devices deteriorated; this could be caused by the percolative connection of CNTs within the layer. The voltage dependence on the effective lifetime of the charge carriers, determined by Cole-Cole curves of the impedance analysis, was different for the reference and CNT-incorporating devices-the lifetime of the CNT-incorporated ones was shorter, possibly owing to the high local electric field near the CNTs. Controlling the concentration of CNTs below the critical concentration of percolation is a key factor in achieving high photovoltaic performance.

Preliminary observation on imbalance degree of impedance in extracellular fluid of cells in the twelve meridians in healthy subjects

To calculate the imbalance degree (IBD) of left-right meridian (IBD-LRM), IBD of exterior-interior meridian (IBD-EIM) and IBD of hand-foot meridians (IBD-HFM) of impedance in extracellular fluid of cells in twelve meridians of healthy subjects, so as to provide foundation for meridian diagnosis. A total of 31 healthy volunteers were enrolled and bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS) was applied. The constant current (from 1 to 100 kHz, 200 μA) was connected into the bilateral twelve meridians through two excitation electrodes with a distance of 10 cm. Two measuring electrodes, with an interval of 5 cm, were set in between the two excitation electrodes to collect the voltage amplitude and phase. The Cole-Cole curve fitting was used to calculate the impedance of extracellular fluid of cells in the twelve meridians; the IBD-LRM, IBD-EIM and IBD-HFM as well as their absolute values were calculated. The impedance of extracellular fluid in the left side was higher than that in right side in the large intestine meridian, the small intestine meridian and the bladder meridian (P<0.05, P<0.01). The mean value of IBD-LRM of extracellular fluid was (4.0±1.4) %; the mean value of absolute value of IBD-LRM was (15.0±1.1) %; the maximum absolute value of IBD-LRM was the bladder meridian. The mean value of IBD-EIM was (3.3±1.0) %; the mean value of absolute value of IBD-EIM was (17.9±1.6) %; the maximum absolute value of IBD-EIM was the bladder meridian and the kidney meridian. The impedance of extracellular fluid of hand jueyin meridian, hand taiyin meridian and hand shaoyin meridian were lower than those of foot meridians. The mean value of IBD-HFM was (-2.6±1.1) %; the mean value of absolute value of IBD-HFM was (19.7±1.7) %; the maximum absolute value of IBD-HFM was shaoyang meridian; the imbalance of yin meridians was greater than yang meridians. There were significant differences in impedance of extracellular fluid between left and right and between hands and feet (P<0.05, P<0.01). The extracellular fluid of left-right meridians of healthy subjects is different, but the absolute value of IBD is low; the mean value of exterior meridian and interior meridian is very close, and the absolute value of IBD is medium; the impedance of the foot meridians are greater than the hand meridians, and the absolute value of IBD is relatively high.

Study on compatibility of hydroxypropyl guar gum/ultrafine powder of bagasse blends

The influence of the concentration of bagasse ultrafine powder on the compatibility of hydroxypropyl guar gum solution/bagasse ultrafine powder blend system was investigated by Hakke MARSIII rheometer from Germany. According to Utraki principle, composite viscosity, storage modulus and loss modulus analysis, cole-cole curve and other theories, the stable and dynamic scanning data of the blends were processed and analyzed. It was found that when hydroxypropyl guar gum/bagasse ultrafine powder =40/100 (m/m), the compatibility between the two was good. SEM also confirmed this conclusion.

Dielectric permittivity and microwave absorption properties of SiC nanowires with different lengths

SiC nanowires with different lengths were prepared, and the effect of nanowire length on their dielectric permittivity and microwave absorption properties were investigated. The results reveal that SiC nanowires with longer length can improve the electrical conductivity of microwave absorbing materials. This may be attributed to the fact that longer nanowires are more easily to interconnect with each other, which facilitates the construction of a more complete electrical conduction network in the matrix. Cole-Cole curves also indicate that with increasing nanowire length, the dominant loss mechanism of SiC nanowires is changed from polarization loss to conductance loss. Therefore, the conductivity-dependent dielectric permittivity and microwave absorbing ability of SiC nanowires were significantly improved with the increase in the nanowire lengths.

Analysis of dynamic mechanical properties of photochemically crosslinked poly(isobornylacrylate-co-isobutylacrylate) applying WLF and Havriliak-Negami models

Chemically crosslinked poly (isobornylacrylate-co-isobutylacrylate) was elaborated by radical photo-copolymerization of isobornylacrylate and isobutylacrylate monomers in a 4:1 mass ratio, by adding a crosslinking agent at low concentration. The obtained copolymer was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for structural analysis, by differential scanning calorimetry for the determination of the glass transition temperature, and by thermogravimetric analysis to investigate thermal degradation effects. Storage modulus, dissipation modulus and tan delta were evaluated by dynamic mechanical analysis and modeled using different physical approaches such as the time-temperature superposition principle and the Havriliak-Negami model. The Cole-Cole curve was fitted with the Havriliak-Negami model yielding five parameters which were used to calculate the dynamic mechanical properties of the copolymer over a large frequency range from 1.03 × 10−4 Hz to 7.58 × 107 Hz. Calculated elastic and dissipative moduli agree well with the experimental data.

Full-time response of starch subjected to microwave heating

The effect of non-ionizing microwave radiation on starch is due to a gelatinization temperature range that changes starch structure and properties. However, the changes in starch upon microwave heating are observable throughout the heating process. We compared the effects on starch heating by microwaves to the effects by rapid and regular conventional heating. Our results show that microwave heating promotes the rapid rearrangement of starch molecules at low temperatures; starch showed a stable dielectric response and a high dielectric constant. Microwave heating changed the Cole-Cole curve and the polarization of starch suspension at low temperatures. A marked transition at 2.45 GHz resulted in a double-polarization phenomenon. At temperatures below gelatinization, microwave-induced dielectric rearrangement and changes in the polarization characteristics of starch suspensions reduced the absorption properties; at temperatures above gelatinization, these characteristics became consistent with conventional heating. Throughout the heating process, microwaves change the electrical response and polarization characteristics of the starch at low temperatures, but on the macro level, there is no enhancement of the material’s microwave absorption properties. In contrast, with the warming process, the starch exhibited a “blocking effect”, and the absorption properties of the starch quickly returned to the level observed in conductive heating after gelatinization.

Polylactide (PLA) and acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) blends: The effect of ACN content on morphology, compatibility and mechanical properties

In this study, attempts have been put to prepare toughened polylactide (PLA) through melt blending with acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) via melt mixing process. The influences of acrylonitrile (ACN) content on the compatibility, microstructure, tensile properties and impact resistance have been investigated. A matrix-dispersed droplet morphology was noted for all blend samples, and the rubber particle size decreased with decreasing ACN content of NBR. This droplet size, impact strength and elongation all corresponded well to the interfacial interaction that was evidenced by surface tension analysis and melt rheology. It was noted that the interfacial tension decreased with decrease in ACN content, accordingly, the results from both Cole-Cole curves and Han plots indicated high homogeneity of the PLA blend with NBR containing lower ACN contents. On the other hand, all blends exhibited very similar glass transition temperatures and crystallinity. It is concluded that extent of thermodynamic compatibility of PLA and NBR determines the improvement of toughness. Incorporation of only 10 wt% NBR resulted in dramatic improvements of elongation at break and impact strength of PLA and largely retained the high tensile strength of neat PLA.