Effect of particle size on flame retardancy of Mg(OH)2‐filled ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer composites

Four kinds of magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂) with different particle sizes are chosen and mixed with ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) to investigate the effect of particle size on the flame retardancy of composites, which is evaluated by limiting oxygen index (LOI) testing, horizontal fire testing, and cone calorimeter. When Mg(OH)₂ filling level changes from 35 to 70 wt %, the composites filled with nano‐Mg(OH)₂ do not always possess the best flame retardancy, and among the composites filled with micro‐Mg(OH)₂, the composites filled with 800 mesh Mg(OH)₂ show the best flame retardancy; however, the composites filled with 1250 mesh presents the worst one. So the effect of particle size on the flame retardancy of micro‐Mg(OH)₂‐filled EVA is not linear as expected. All the differences are thought to result from both particle size effect and distributive dispersion level of Mg(OH)₂. To prepare the composites with better mechanical properties and flame retardancy, authors suggested that Mg(OH)₂ of smaller size should be chosen as flame retardant, and good dispersion of Mg(OH)₂ particles also should be assured. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 4461–4469, 2006     

Effects of silicon additive as synergists of Mg(OH)2 on the flammability of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer

The present work dealt with the effects of nine kinds of silicon additives on flame retardancy of ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)/magnesium hydroxide [Mg(OH)₂] composites, as well as mechanical properties. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) test, horizontal fire test, vertical fire test, and cone calorimeter test were employed to evaluate flame retardancy of the composites. It was found that different silicon additives had different synergistic effects with Mg(OH)₂ on flame retardancy of the EVA matrix and exerted different influences on mechanical properties of the composites. The incorporation of organic montmorillonite (MMT) clay or silicone rubber not only made the composite reach FH‐1 rating in the horizontal fire test and FV‐1 rating in the vertical fire test, respectively, but also dramatically reduced the peak rate of heat release (Peak RHR) and increased the fire performance index (FPI) and ignition time (IT). The composites filled with precipitated SiO₂ exhibited the longest IT, the highest FPI, and FV‐1 rating. However, only the composites filled with silicone rubber could attain a balance between mechanical properties and flame retardancy. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006     

Morphology and flame‐retardancy properties of ternary high‐impact polystyrene/elastomer/polystyrene‐encapsulated magnesium hydroxide composites

The effects of elastomer type on the morphology, flammability, and mechanical properties of high‐impact polystyrene (HIPS)/polystyrene (PS)‐encapsulated magnesium hydroxide (MH) were investigated. The ternary composites were characterized by cone calorimetry, mechanical testing, and scanning electron microscopy. Morphology was controlled with poly[styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐styrene] (SEBS) triblock copolymer or the corresponding maleinated poly[styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐styrene] (SEBS‐g‐MA). The HIPS/SEBS/PS‐encapsulated MH composites exhibited separation of the filler and elastomer, whereas the HIPS/SEBS‐g‐MA/PS‐encapsulated MH composites exhibited encapsulation of the filler by SEBS‐g‐MA. The flame‐retardant and mechanical properties of the ternary composites were strongly dependent on microstructure. The composites with an encapsulation structure showed higher flame‐retardant properties than those with a separation structure at the optimum use level of SEBS‐g‐MA. Furthermore, the composites with a separation structure showed a higher modulus and impact strength than those with an encapsulation structure. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008     

Interfacial modification of high impact polystyrene magnesium hydroxide composites effects on flame retardancy properties

High impact polystyrene (HIPS)/magnesium hydroxide (MH) composites were prepared by melt‐blending. Two kinds of interfacial modifiers were used in this research, maleinated poly[styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐styrene] (SEBS‐g‐MA) triblock copolymer and PS. The effects of the use levels of SEBS‐g‐MA on the flame retardancy of HIPS/elastomer/MH based on unmodified and PS‐modified surface were investigated by TEM, FTIR, and combustion tests (horizontal burning test and cone calorimetry). The combustion results showed that comparing composites containing unmodified MH, the flame retarding properties of composites containing PS‐modified MH were obviously improved. The increased performance can be explained that the PS covered on the surface of MH could further improve dispersion of the filler in matrix. Furthermore, there existed a critical thickness of interfacial boundary for optimum flame‐retarding properties in both ternary composites based MH and PS‐modified MH. When the interfacial boundary relative thickness is less than 0.53, the introduction of SEBS‐g‐MA can improve the dispersion degree, leading the improvement of flame retardancy properties. However, with the increase of interfacial boundary thickness, the SEBS‐g‐MA coating around MH acted as a heat and mass transfer barrier, leading to the reduction of flame retardancy. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Flame-retardant properties and synergistic effect of ammonium polyphosphate/aluminum hydroxide/mica/silicone rubber composites

The flammability behaviors of ammonium polyphosphate/aluminum hydroxide/mica/silicone rubber (APP/Al[OH]₃/mica/SiR) ceramifying composites containing APP, Al[OH]₃, and mica are investigated by cone calorimeter test. The thermal degradation and the synergistic effect of APP/Al(OH)₃/mica/SiR composites are investigated by thermal gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. APP/Al(OH)₃/mica/SiR composites with 25 wt% of APP, 20 wt% of Al(OH)₃, 25 wt% of mica, and 30 wt% SiR presents a much lower total heat release, the value of peak heat release rate (PHRR), the maximum average heat release rate, the longest time to ignition, and time to the PHRR (t_PHRR), compared with the flame-retardant properties from composites with filler of APP and mica or APP and Al(OH)₃ alone. The results indicate that there is an excellent synergism in APP, Al(OH)₃, and mica, which endows APP/Al(OH)₃/mica/SiR composites with both good flame retardancy and fire prevention. The study on the synergism effect between fire prevention and flame retardancy of APP/Al(OH)₃/mica/SiR composites indicates that compounds containing P-O-Al are formed due to the reaction between APP and Al(OH)₃ during combustion in the early stage and a coherent, dense, and sealed structure is formed due to the reaction in mica, phosphates, and the thermal decomposition products of SiR during combustion in the later stage.     

Effect of particle size on the flame retardancy of poly(butylene succinate)/Mg(OH)2 composites

Poly(butylene succinate)/magnesium hydroxide (PBS/Mg(OH)₂) composites were prepared by melt compounding to investigate the effect of particle size on the flame retardancy of PBS. Their flammability properties were investigated by limiting oxygen index, UL‐94, and cone calorimeter tests, which suggested that the medium‐sized Mg(OH)₂‐5 µm displayed the best flame retardancy. The residual char structure were analyzed and indicated that Mg(OH)₂‐5 µm could form a better protective layer than other sized particles, leading to the better flame retardancy to PBS. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synergistic effect of expandable graphite and melamine phosphate on flame‐retardant polystyrene

The halogen‐free flame‐retardant polystyrene (PS) composites containing expandable graphite (EG) and melamine phosphate (MP) were prepared successfully, and the thermal degradation behavior and fire performance were investigated by various measurements. The experimental results show that EG and MP have a synergistic effect on flame‐retardant PS, which can catalyze the char formation from PS. PS/MP/EG_(1:2) composite achieves limited oxygen index value of 28.0% and UL‐94V‐0 (1.6 mm) rate. The mass retention at high temperature (800 °C) under air atmosphere of PS composites have a large increase by the introduction of EG and MP. Microscale combustion calorimeter (MCC) and cone calorimetric analysis indicate that the heat release rate and total heat release of PS/MP/EG_(1:2) composite are reduced significantly, because the formed thick char layer has a notable barrier property. The study on the char residue of PS/MP/EG_(1:2) composite by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirms the formation of the stable structures containing P? O? C. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of PS composites were also investigated; compared with neat PS, the addition of flame retardants leads to the decrease of tensile strength and flexural strength, but the impact strength of PS/MP/EG_(1:2) has increased by 44.2%. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134 , 45474.     

Flame‐retardant and mechanical properties of rigid polyurethane foam/MRP/mg(OH)2/GF/HGB composites

Some rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) composites modified with microencapsulated red phosphorus (MRP), magnesium hydrate (Mg(OH)₂), glass fiber (GF), and hollow glass bead (HGB) were prepared. The influence of the MRP, Mg(OH)₂, GF, and HGB on the flame‐retardant, combustion, and mechanical properties of the filled RPUF composites was investigated. The results showed that the flame‐retardant and the combustion properties of the composites were obviously improved, the limiting oxygen index, half burning time and the residual mass/original mass ratio increased with increasing MRP/Mg(OH)₂ weight fraction, especially in case of MRP/Mg(OH)₂ weight fraction of 8 wt %; the carbon monoxide (CO) concentration decreased with increasing MRP/Mg(OH)₂ weight fraction, When the composites were loaded appreciate content of the HGB and the GF, the maximum torque and compressive strength of the composites were improved. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46551.     

Synergistic flame retardancy of tris(1-methoxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidin-4-yl)phosphite and tris(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)-1,3,5-triazine/Sb2O3 in high-impact polystyrene

Synergistic flame retardancy of tris(1-methoxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidin-4-yl) phosphite (NORPM) and tris(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)-1,3,5-triazine (TTBPC)/Sb₂O₃ in high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) was studied by limiting oxygen index (LOI) determination, UL-94 test, and cone calorimetry test (CCT). NORPM has an exceptional synergistic effect in HIPS. When the dosage of TTBPC, Sb₂O₃, and NORPM was 12.8, 3.2, and 0.5 wt% respectively, flame retardant effectivity and synergistic effectivity were 0.424 and 1.15 respectively. Compared with the Flame retardant (FR)-HIPS containing 16.0 wt% of TTBPC/Sb₂O₃, the LOI of FR-HIPS increases from 23.8% to 25.4%, the flame-retardant rating of FR-HIPS can be improved from UL 94 V-2 to V-0, and the peak heat release rate and total heat release are significantly reduced by combining NORPM in 0.5 wt% concentration. NORPM induces the synergistic effect mainly through the following mechanisms: the active radicals produced by the pyrolysis of NORPM promote the release of bromine radicals from TTBPC and the formation of HBr, which improves the flame retardancy of TTBPC; the above active radicals, together with HBr, quench active free radicals, such as the hydroxyl radical (·OH) and decompose the free radical source, which interrupts the chain reaction during combustion and results in a more efficient flame retardant effect in gaseous phase.     

A study of the flame‐retardant properties of polypropylene/Al(OH)3/Mg(OH)2 composites

Polymeric materials are used extensively, but their applications are limited because many of them are flammable. Therefore ways to make them flame retardant have received much attention. In this work, polypropylene (PP) was used as the matrix resin, aluminium hydroxide (Al(OH)₃) and magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂) as flame‐retardant additives and zinc borate (ZB) as a flame‐retardant synergist. PP/Al(OH)₃/Mg(OH)₂ and PP/Al(OH)₃/Mg(OH)₂/ZB flame‐retardant composites were prepared with a twin‐screw extruder. The flame‐retardant properties, i.e. oxygen index (OI), burning velocity and smoke density, of the composites were measured. The results showed that OI increased with an increase of the filler content and decreased with an increase of the filler particle diameter. The burning velocity decreased with an increase of the filler content, while it first increased and then decreased with an increase of the filler particle diameter. The smoke density decreased with an increase of the filler content and increased with an increase of the filler particle diameter. There was a flame‐retardant synergy between Al(OH)₃/Mg(OH)₂ and ZB in the composites, and the smoke suppression effect was marked when ZB was added. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Flame‐retarded polystyrene with phosphorus‐ and nitrogen‐containing oligomer: Preparation and thermal properties

A phosphorus‐ and nitrogen‐containing compound (2‐dimethylamino ethyl phenyl hydroxyethyl acrylate phosphate) and its oligomer (poly(2‐dimethylamino ethyl phenyl hydroxyethyl acrylate phosphate), PDPHP) were synthesized and characterized. The polystyrene (PS) composites with various amounts of PDPHP were prepared by melt blending. The thermal stability of the PDPHP and PS composites was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. The flame retardancy of the composites was evaluated using microscale combustion calorimeter and limiting oxygen index test. A Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy coupled with a thermogravimetric analyzer was also used to study the gas phase from the degradation of PS composites. The char residues of the PS composites containing 30 wt % PDPHP were analyzed by FTIR and scanning electron microscopy. The results suggest that the incorporation of PDPHP into PS can evidently enhance the char formation and improve the flame retardancy of virgin PS. The compact and coherent char formed during degradation was attributed to the enhancement of char quality and flame retardance. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Magnesium hydroxide modified by 1‐n‐tetradecyl‐3‐carboxymethyl imidazolium chloride and its effects on the properties of LLDPE

In this study, Mg(OH)₂ (MH) was first modified by 1‐n‐tetradecyl‐3‐carboxymethyl imidazolium chloride ([C₁₄cim]Cl), an imidazolium ionic liquid, and then the modified MH ([C₁₄cim]Cl‐MH) was incorporated into linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) by melt‐mixing to obtain the LLDPE/[C₁₄cim]Cl‐MH composites. The interaction between [C₁₄cim]Cl and MH was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). The thermal decompostion behaviors of the LLDPE/[C₁₄cim]Cl‐MH composites were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The flame retardance, tensile and Izod Impact properties of the LLDPE/[C₁₄cim]Cl‐MH composites were tested. For comparison, the LLDPE/MH composites and LLDPE/SA‐MH composites (SA‐MH is stearic acid) were prepared and their properties were studied in the same way. It was found that [C₁₄cim]Cl interacted with MH via chemical bonding, and served as an efficient lubricant and compatibilizer for MH and LLDPE, leading to great improvements of processability and mechanical properties of the LLDPE/[C₁₄cim]Cl‐MH composites. The LLDPE/[C₁₄cim]Cl‐MH composites also showed a remarkably promoted char formation and effectively eliminated melt drips, thus endowing the composites with sufficiently high flame retardancy. POLYM. ENG. SCI., © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Flame retardancy and mechanical properties of thermal plastic composite panels made from Tetra Pak waste and high‐density polyethylene

In this article, flame retardancy thermoplastic composites were developed by extrusion followed by injection molding using recycled Tetra Pak packaging material (TPP) waste and high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) with addition of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and melamine (MEL) as intumescent flame retardants (FRs). The influences of intumescent FRs on the properties of composites were investigated. FRs loading positively affected flame retardancy, but deteriorated mechanical properties as the loading rate was more than 30 wt%. Considering the fire retardancy and tensile strength (TS), the content of FR should not be more than 30 wt%. When the ratio of APP/MEL was less than 3/1, both combustion behavior and TS of the composites were improved with the increased FR loading, which was supported and verified by the analysis of FTIR spectra and SEM images. The thermogravimetric analysis results indicated that the incorporation APP and/or APP and MEL into composites as FRs into composites promoted char formation and correspondingly improved the thermal stability. The synergistic effect of APP and MEL in the intumescent FR system further improved the flame retardancy of the composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1797–1804, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Bio‐based Mg(OH)2@M‐Phyt: improving the flame‐retardant and mechanical properties of flexible poly(vinyl chloride)

Two novelty bio‐based multifunctional metallic phytate coated (M‐Phyt, M ≡ Cu, Zn) Mg(OH)₂ (MH@M‐Phyt) were designed and incorporated into flexible poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). MH@M‐Phyt was incorporated into PVC materials in a powder form. The morphology of the interface between MH and M‐Phyt and their binding states were characterized by TEM and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. The TEM images of MH@M‐Phyt indicated that M‐Phyt was successfully coated on the MH surface. Additionally, from the XPS spectra M‐Phyt and MH were connected by Mg–O–P bonds. The flame retardancy and mechanical properties of the PVC composites were investigated through the limiting oxygen index, cone calorimetry and mechanical tests. The char residues were analyzed by SEM. The results revealed that the MH@M‐Phyt powder functioned well in PVC, with a flame retardancy, smoke density, tensile strength and elongation at break better than those of PVC/MH. With 10 phr loading, the peak heat release rate of PVC/MH@Zn‐Phyt and PVC/MH@Cu‐Phyt decreased by 33.5% and 24.6%, respectively, benefitting from the formation of firmer and denser char layers on the char residues. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Stearic acid surface modifying Mg(OH)2: Mechanism and its effect on properties of ethylene vinyl acetate/Mg(OH)2 composites

In this article, FTIR spectra and ESEM images were employed to evaluate the effect of stearic acid surface modification of Mg(OH)₂. As a result, the absorbing peak intensity of organic group on Mg(OH)₂ increased with the coating amount of stearic acid increasing and there was no so‐called surface saturation as expected. The results indicated stearic acid surface treatment of Mg(OH)₂ belonged to the acid–base reaction between stearic acid and Mg(OH)₂, and it would not stop until Mg(OH)₂ was reacted completely. In addition, stearic acid surface treatment of Mg(OH)₂ had remarkable influence on the properties of ethylene vinyl acetate/Mg(OH)₂ composites. With the increasing coating amount of stearic acid, the composites had decreased tensile strength, increased elongation at break, and deteriorated flame retardancy, compared with the composites filled with the uncoated Mg(OH)₂. However, stearic acid surface treatment of Mg(OH)₂ benefited processing ability of composites, and the composites had better processing ability as the coating amount of stearic acid increased. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Synthesis,structure, and properties of high‐impact polystyrene/octavinyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanocomposites

The organic–inorganic hybrid nanocomposites from high‐impact polystyrene/octavinyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (HIPS/POSS) containing various percentages of POSS were prepared by free radical polymerization and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ¹H‐NMR, thermal gravity analysis (TGA), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The octavinyl POSS has formed covalent bond connected PS‐POSS hybrid with polystyrene. POSS can well disperse in the composites at the composition of 0.5 and 1 wt%. The mechanical properties and thermostability of HIPS/POSS nanocomposites were significantly improved. The tensile strength, the izod impact strength, and the elongation at break of the nanocomposite containing 1 wt% of POSS was increased, respectively, by 15.73%, 75.62%, and 72.71% in comparison with pristine HIPS. The thermal decomposition temperature of HIPS/POSS (1 wt% of POSS) was 33°C higher than that of pristine HIPS. The HIPS/POSS nanocomposites showed great potential for applications in many fields, such as electric appliance and automotive trim. POLYM. COMPOS. 37:1049–1055, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Comparative mechanical,fire‐retarding,and morphological properties of high‐density polyethylene/(wood flour) composites with different flame retardants

Aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and 1,2‐bis(pentabromophenyl) ethane were incorporated into high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) and wood flour composites, and their mechanical properties, morphology, and fire‐retardancy performance were characterized. The addition of flame retardants slightly reduced the modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture of composites. Morphology characterization showed reduced interfacial adhesion among wood flour, HDPE, and flame retardants in the composites compared with control composites (HDPE and wood flour composites without the addition of flame retardants). The flame retardancy of composites was improved with the addition of the flame retardants, magnesium hydroxide and 1,2‐bis(pentabromophenyl) ethane, especially 1,2‐bis(pentabromophenyl) ethane, with a significant decrease in the heat release rate and total heat release. Char residue composition and morphology, analyzed by attenuated total reflectance, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, showed that the char layer was formed on the composite surface with the addition of flame retardants, which promoted the fire performance of composites. The composites with 10 wt% 1,2‐bis(pentabromophenyl) ethane had good fire performance with a continuous and compact char layer on the composite surface. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 24:3–12, 2018. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Structure and thermal property of intumescent char produced by flame‐retardant high‐impact polystyrene/expandable graphite/microencapsulated red phosphorus composite

This paper is aimed to illustrate the structure and thermal property of intumescent char produced by flame‐retardant polymers containing expandable graphite (EG). For this purpose, high‐impact polystyrene (HIPS) flame retarded by EG individually or in combination with microencapsulated red phosphorus (MRP) was prepared. The results indicate that the intumescent char from HIPS/EG/MRP composite, which contains a small amount of phosphorus element and more oxygen element, is much more compact and continuous than that from HIPS/EG composite with identical loading of flame retardant due to binding effect of phosphoric acid and its derivatives. The intumescent char produced by HIPS/EG/MRP composite exhibits much enhanced thermal and thermo‐oxidative stability as well as thermal‐insulating effect, which can withstand destruction of heat and oxygen effectively and thus provide a good fire‐proof barrier. The temperature beneath this intumescent char is decreased significantly in case of action by flame. By comparison, the porous and loose intumescent char generated by HIPS/EG composite has poor thermo‐oxidative endurance, and most of it can be consumed in air at high temperature without effective protection for the polymer. This has resulted in remarkable increase in flame retardancy of the HIPS/EG/MRP composite.     

溴化聚苯乙烯阻燃剂的合成及性能研究

以聚苯乙烯 (PS)、溴素为原料 ,在 40℃ ,2 5 %催化剂 (相对于PS的质量 ) ,溶剂CH2 Cl2 用量 1mL/ 0 1gPS ,时间 3h的反应条件下合成了溴化聚苯乙烯 (BPS)阻燃剂 ,溴的质量分数为6 0 % ,并用红外光谱和X射线光电子能谱表征了其基本结构。对于不同阻燃剂质量分数的高抗冲聚苯乙烯 (HIPS)体系进行了阻燃性能、力学性能和流变性能的初步研究 ,结果表明 :随阻燃剂质量分数的增加 ,阻燃性能逐渐提高 ,但力学性能和流变性能均有所降低。当在共混物中添加质量分数为 3%的BPS阻燃剂时 ,复合材料的水平燃烧速率为 33mm/min ,满足了我国关于家用电器的阻燃法规 (<40mm/min) ,而且此时体系的综合性能也较好。     

Nano-Calcium carbonate (CaCO3)/Polystyrene (PS) core-shell nanoparticle: It’s effect on physical and mechanical properties of high impact polystyrene (HIPS)

Rheological, thermal, mechanical and morphological properties of core-shell [Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)/Polystyrene (PS)]/High impact polystyrene (HIPS) as well as bare nano-CaCO₃/HIPS nanocomposites with different wt% loading were investigated in this paper. All composites were prepared individually by incorporating nano-CaCO₃/PS hybrid nanoparticles and bare nano-CaCO₃ with 0.10–5.0 wt% loading on Brabender Plastograph. It was shown from the experimental results that rheological, thermal, mechanical and morphological properties were improved as hybrid nano-CaCO₃/PS particles reinforced in HIPS matrix. The interaction between nano-CaCO₃ particles and HIPS matrix was significantly improved when the nano-CaCO₃ nanoparticles were grafted with PS. FESEM (field emission scanning electron microscope) and AFM (atomic force microscope) images showed a perfect dispersion of nano-CaCO₃ particles in polypropylene (PP) matrix.