Effect of organoclay structure -: Morphology and mechanical properties of poly(styrene-B-butadiene-B-styrene) block copolymer nanocomposites

Nanocomposites . Block copolymers Morphology . Mechanical properties Deformation behaviour The present study was aimed at evaluating the influence of common functionalisation approaches of layered silicate nanoclays on the morphology and resulting mechanical properties of meltprocessed poly(styrene-b-butadiene-bstyrene) block copolymer (SBS)-nanocomposites. The distribution and dispersion of the filler critically depends on the type of functionalisation of the clay. In turn, the quality of the nanoclay dispersion determines important mechanical composite properties such as the ductility. It is demonstrated that suitably functionalised commercial organoclays can be used to achieve thermoplastic elastomer nanocomposites with an enhanced stiffness and ductility at low filler concentrations.