Exploring the effect of block copolymer architecture and concentration on the microstructure, electrical conductivity and rheological properties of PP/PS blend nanocomposites

Abstract The interface between polymer matrices and nanofillers is critical for efficient interaction to achieve the desired final properties. In this work, block copolymers were utilized control optimum interfacial interaction. Specifically, we studied compatibilizing effects of styrene-ethylene/butadiene-styrene (SEBS) styrene-ethylene/propylene (SEP) on morphology, conductivity, rheological properties polypropylene-polystyrene (PP/PS) immiscible blend with 2 vol% multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) at different compositions PP/PS 80:20, 50:50 20:80. MWCNTs induced co-continuity in blends did not obstruct copolymer migration interface. Copolymers led morphology refinement. Adding a relatively low concentration 1 compatibilize 80:20 substantially increased electrical conductivity from 5.15*10 −7 S/cm uncompatibilized 1.07*10 −2 system SEP 1.51*10 −3 S/m SEBS system. These values compatibilized are about 4 orders magnitude higher due interconnection droplet domains. For blend, resulted huge increase above 3 (conductivity 3.49*10 5.16*10 S/cm). Both storage modulus as content was increased. 20:80 observed an initial decrease lower concentrations (1–3 vol%) then than system, but only 10 vol%. triblock (SEBS), which had 60 wt% PS content, shows more significant compared diblock (SEP). that MWCNT stronger PP, hence there selective localization nanofiller phase predicted by Young’s equation molecular simulation.