SEBS-Grafted Itaconic Acid as Compatibilizer for Elastomer Nanocomposites Based on BaTiO₃ Particles

Area of Science:

• Polymer Science
• Materials Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Itaconic acid (IA) is a key bio-based building-block chemical.
• Petroleum-based compatibilizers are widely used in polymer composites.
• Styrene copolymers like SEBS are common in blends and composites.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate itaconic acid (IA) as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based compatibilizers.
• To graft IA onto poly(styrene-b-ethylene-butylene-b-styrene) (SEBS) for enhanced polymer composites.
• To evaluate the performance of IA-modified SEBS composites.

Main Methods:

• Reactive melt-mixing process to graft IA onto SEBS (SEBS-g-IA).
• Preparation of SEBS-g-IA composites filled with BaTiO3.
• Characterization using FTIR and XRD to confirm IA grafting.
• Mechanical testing (Young's modulus) and dielectric property analysis.

Main Results:

• Successful grafting of IA onto SEBS confirmed by FTIR and XRD.
• SEBS-g-IA composites exhibited an 80% increase in Young's modulus compared to neat SEBS.
• Improved filler dispersion and compatibility in SEBS-g-IA composites.
• Enhanced dielectric permittivity indicating increased polarity.

Conclusions:

• Itaconic acid is a viable bio-based substitute for petroleum-based compatibilizers.
• IA grafting significantly enhances the mechanical properties and compatibility of SEBS-based composites.
• SEBS-g-IA shows potential as a modifier for specialized polymers due to increased polarity.