Morphology and Properties of Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene/ZnO Nanocomposites with Compatibilizer

This work investigated the effects of polystyrene-co-maleic anhydride (SMA) compatibilizer on morphology and properties of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS)/zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocomposites. The ABS/ZnO nanocomposites were prepared by using an internal mixer and were then molded by compression method. In order to improve adhesion between the filler and the matrix, SMA has been used as compatibilizer in the nanocomposites. ABS/ZnO nanocomposites showed the storage modulus increased with increasing ZnO content and showed a maximum at 3 wt%. The addition of SMA improved Young's modulus and stiffness of ABS/ZnO nanocomposites at low ZnO content. While the impact strength and tensile strength of ABS/ZnO nanocomposites before and after adding SMA decreased with increasing of ZnO loading. The glass transition temperatures were not significantly changed when both ZnO and SMA were incorporated. The dielectric constant of ABS/ZnO nanocomposites before adding SMA increased in a range of 1-5 wt% of ZnO. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation showed the better dispersion and compatibility of ZnO particles in ABS/ZnO nanocomposites with the addition of SMA.