LAUSR

ABSTRACT In the present work, the toughening effect of poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) (ABS) together with nano-ZnO on isotactic polypropylene (iPP) was investigated. Mechanical tests indicated that by introducing ABS and nano-ZnO simultaneously, iPP/ABS/ZnO blends showed not only great enhancement of toughness but also the reinforcement in rigidity. The phase morphology, dynamic rheological behavior and crystalline structure were examined to explain the probable toughening mechanism. The key to toughening of ABS and nano-ZnO on iPP is that the proper content of nano-ZnO selectively disperses at the phase interface between iPP and ABS. With the compatibilization of nano-ZnO, the dispersibility of ABS in iPP and interfacial adhesion between ABS and iPP were obviously improved. Moreover, both nano-ZnO and ABS have β nucleating activity, and ABS surrounded by nano-ZnO can be regarded as a kind of supported β-nucleating agent to significantly induce the formation of β-crystal in iPP matrix. Consequently, good impact toughness and rigidity could be obtained. Graphical abstract