Synthesis and characterization of ABS/silica hybrid nanocomposites

Organic–inorganic nanocomposites have been attracting much attention due to their potential applications, such as colloidal stabilizers, electro-optical devices, and nanocomposite materials. Recently, we have developed a new class of organic–inorganic hybrid nanocomposites incorporating spherical silica nanoparticles (10–20 nm diameter) into acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers (ABS) using a strong acid–base interaction between hydroxyl groups of silica surfaces and cyano-groups of ABS. Encapsulation of ABS particles with silica nanoparticles was taking place in situ during ABS coagulation process, resulting in the formation of colloidal nanocomposites with a core-shell morphology. Interestingly, the resulting nanocomposites with 1.0–1.8 wt.% SiO2 nanoparticles exhibit the improvement of impact strength by ca. 30%, without sacrifice of elastic modulus, hardness, and tensile strength. The interfacial interaction between the SiO2 and the ABS phases plays a major role in controlling the microstructures and the properties of the composite materials. The morphology and properties of nanocomposites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile tests, impact strength tests, and thermogravimetry.