Preparation, structure, and properties of styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene block copolymer/clay nanocomposites: Part III. Effectiveness of compatibilizers

Styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene block copolymer (SEBS)/clay nanocomposites were prepared via a melt mixing technique. Various amounts of two types of compatibilizers, maleated styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene block copolymer (SEBS-g-MA) and maleated polypropylene (PP-g-MA), were incorporated to improve the dispersion of 5 wt% commercial organoclay (denoted as 20A), respectively. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) experimental results revealed that nanocomposites were achieved in all cases. The Fourier Transform infrared spectra and dynamic properties indicated a higher interaction for styrene blocks with clay moiety. The transmittance for the nanocomposites slightly decreased with increasing SEBS-g-MA dosage, which presented an opposing trend compared with the PP-g-MA case. The PP-g-MA compatibilized system conferred higher mechanical properties than the SEBS-g-MA compatibilized system, even though a higher dosage of SEBS-g-MA was beneficial in further expanding the interlayer spacing of the clay. The unexpected results suggested matrix properties and interfacial phase were the major factors in attaining the best performance in terms of mechanical properties for the investigated system.