Synthesis and characterization of polyethylene-g-polystyrene as the compatibilizer for polypropylene/polystyrene blends

Polyethylene-g-polystyrene (PE-g-PS) was synthesized as a compatibilizer for polypropylene/polystyrene (PP/PS) blends by the living radical polymerization of styrene with polyethylene-co-glycidylmethacrylate (PE-co-GMA). The compatibilizer effect of PE-g-PS on the morphology and thermal properties of PP/PS blends was investigated. The crystalline temperature of PP in PPIPS blends decreased with increasing PE-g-PS contents. Morphologies of PP/PE-g-PS/PS blends showed much better dispersion of each domain for higher PE-g-PS contents. The molecular weight of PS segment in PP/PEg-PS/PS blend was increased by addition of styrene monomer during the post melt blending process where post living radical polymerization reaction proceeded. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.