Properties and Degradation of Novel Fully Biodegradable PLA/PHB Blends Filled with Keratin

The utilization of keratin waste in new materials formulations can prevent its environmental disposal problem. Here, novel composites based on biodegradable blends consisting of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), and filled with hydrolyzed keratin with loading from 1 to 20 wt % were prepared and their properties were investigated. Mechanical and viscoelastic properties were characterized by tensile test, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and rheology measurements. The addition of acetyltributyl citrate (ATBC) significantly affected the mechanical properties of the materials. It was found that the filled PLA/PHB/ATBC composite at the highest keratin loading exhibited similar shear moduli compared to the un-plasticized blend as a result of the much stronger interactions between the keratin and polymer matrix compared to composites with lower keratin content. The differences in dynamic moduli for PLA/PHB/ATBC blend filled with keratin depended extensively on the keratin content while loss the factor values progressively decreased with keratin loading. Softening interactions between the keratin and polymer matrix resulted in lower glass transitions temperature and reduced polymer chain mobility. The addition of keratin did not affect the extent of degradation of the PLA/PHB blend during melt blending. Fast hydrolysis at 60 °C was observed for composites with all keratin loadings. The developed keratin-based composites possess properties comparable to commonly used thermoplastics applicable for example as packaging materials.     

High‐performance antistatic ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer/high‐density polyethylene composites with graphene nanoplatelets coated by polyaniline

Graphene nanoplatelets coated by polyaniline (GNP@PANI) and ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer–high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) were used for the first time to prepare high‐performance antistatic composites through an effective method that combined solution mixing and melt blending. GNP@PANI nanocomposites were fabricated by in situ polymerization to improve the dispersion of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) in the EVA–HDPE matrix and the compatibility between the GNPs and the EVA–HDPE matrix. The GNP@PANI nanocomposites and EVA were first prepared as a premix through solution mixing, and then, the premix and HDPE were prepared as highly antistatic composites through melt blending. The dispersion of the GNPs in the EVA–HDPE matrix and the compatibility between the GNPs and the EVA–HDPE matrix were confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy observations. The GNP@PANI–EVA–HDPE composites met the requirements for antistatic materials when the content of the GNP@PANI nanocomposites was 5 wt % with only about 1 wt % GNPs. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45303.     

In situ thermal reduction of graphene oxide in a styrene–ethylene/butylene–styrene triblock copolymer via melt blending

We report an in situ thermal reduction of graphene oxide (GO) in a styrene–ethylene/butylene–styrene (SEBS) triblock copolymer matrix during a melt‐blending process. A relatively high degree of reduction was achieved by melt‐blending premixed GO/SEBS nanocomposites in a Haake mixer for 25 min at 225 °C. Infrared spectral results revealed the successful thermal reduction of, and the strong adsorption of SEBS on, the graphene sheets. The glass transition temperature of polystyrene (PS) segments in SEBS was enhanced by the incorporation of thermally reduced graphene oxide (TRGO). The resultant TRGO/SEBS nanocomposites were used as a masterbatch to improve the mechanical properties of PS. Both the elongation at break and the flexural strength of PS/SEBS blends were enhanced with the addition of the TRGO. Our demonstration of the in situ thermal reduction of GO via melt blending is a simple, efficient strategy for preparing nanocomposites with well‐dispersed TRGO in the polymer matrix, which could be an important route for large‐scale fabrication of high‐performance graphene/polymer nanocomposites. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Growth and Microstructure‐Dependent Hardness of Directionally Solidified WC–W2C Eutectoid Ceramics

Directionally solidified WC–W₂C ceramics containing 40 at% carbon, corresponding to the WC–W₂C eutectoid composition, were produced by laser surface melt processing. The resulting microstructures showed a lamellar‐type eutectic/eutectoid microstructure with the WC minor phase embedded in the W₂C matrix phase. The interlamellar spacing (λ) in the eutectoid regions followed the relationship Vλ^3.8 = constant, with the smallest spacing of 331 ± 36 nm achieved in the 3.24 mm/s processed sample. The indentation hardness increased with decreasing interlamellar spacing, and a Vickers indentation hardness of 28.5 GPa was achieved in the sample with the smallest interlamellar spacing. The directionally solidified WC–W₂C materials show enhanced indentation mechanical properties in comparison to previously reported WC–Co composites and WC‐based materials.     

Influence of pulp bleaching and compatibilizer selection on performance of pulp fiber reinforced PLA biocomposites

This article focuses on the effect of pulp bleaching and emerging commercial compatibilizers on physical performance of pulp fiber reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) biocomposites. Industrially bleached and unbleached hardwood kraft pulp fibers are treated with several additive types, and compounded with PLA to fiber content of 30 wt %. After injection molding, the produced biocomposites are evaluated by their mechanical performance and fiber–matrix adhesion. For selected materials, fiber surface and fiber properties are reflected to composite performance by analyzing the compositions, dimensions, and lignin coverage of original fibers, as well as fiber dispersion and dimensions after melt processing. As a conclusion, unbleached kraft pulp fibers provide significant improvement in physical properties of PLA/pulp fiber composites. Of the screened compatibilizers, epoxidated linseed oil has a clear positive effect on performance when bleached kraft pulp fibers are used. The improvements correspond to enhanced fiber–matrix adhesion and differences in remaining fiber length distributions. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47955.     

Nano-engineering of high-performance PA6.6 nanocomposites by the integration of CVD-grown carbon fiber on graphene as a bicomponent reinforcement by melt-compounding

In this study, long carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were grown on graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique to develop three-dimensional (3D) bicomponent nanostructures. The structure and properties of graphene before and after CVD process were investigated in details. X-ray photoelectron analysis depicted the formation of Fe-C bonds by the deposition of carbon atoms on the catalyst surface of Fe₂O₃. This hybrid additive was firstly used as a reinforcing agent in melt compounding to fabricate PA6.6-based nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. Both GNP and CNF-GNP have enough surface oxygen functional groups to improve the interfacial interactions with polyamide matrix and thus provide good wettability. Also, both neat GNP and its bicomponent additive with CNF also acted as a nucleating agent and allowed the crystal growth in nanocomposite structure. Homogeneous dispersion of nanoparticles was achieved by using thermokinetic mixer during compounding by applying high shear rates. Mechanical results showed that 23 and 34% improvement in flexural and tensile modulus values, respectively, was attained by the addition of 0.5 wt % CNF-GNP hybrid additive. The heat distortion temperature and Vicat softening temperature of the resulting PA6.6 nanocomposites were improved compared to neat PA6.6 material indicating performance enhancement at higher service temperature conditions. CNF was successfully grown on Fe-loaded GNP by CVD method and this hybrid additive was compounded with PA6.6 by melt-mixing process. Mechanical results showed that 34% improvement in tensile modulus value was attained by the addition of 0.5 wt % CNF-GNP hybrid additive because it acted as a nucleating agent and allowed the crystal growth in the nanocomposite structure. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 48347.     

Use of a new natural clay to produce poly(methyl methacrylate)‐based nanocomposites

Nanocomposites of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) filled with 3 wt% of modified natural Algerian clay (AC; montmorillonite type) were prepared by either in situ polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile or a melt‐mixing process with preformed PMMA via twin‐screw extrusion. The organo‐modification of the AC montmorillonite was achieved by ion exchange of Na⁺ with octadecyldimethylhydroxyethylammonium bromide. Up to now, this AC montmorillonite has found applications only in the petroleum industry as a rheological additive for drilling muds and in water purification processes; its use as reinforcement in polymer matrices has not been reported yet. The modified clay was characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), which showed an important shift of the interlayer spacing after organo‐modification. The degree of dispersion of the clay in the polymer matrix and the resulting morphology of nanocomposites were evaluated using XRD and transmission electron microscopy. The resulting intercalated PMMA nanocomposites were analysed using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The glass transition temperature of the nanocomposites was not significantly influenced by the presence of the modified clay while the thermal stability was considerably improved compared to unfilled PMMA. This Algerian natural montmorillonite can serve as reinforcing nanofiller for polymer matrices and is of real interest for the fabrication of nanocomposite materials with improved properties. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Fabrication and properties of carbon nanotube/styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene composites via a sequential process of (electrostatic adsorption aided dispersion)‐plus‐(melt mixing)

Carbon nanotube (CNT)/styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene (SEBS) composites were prepared via a sequential process of (electrostatic adsorption assisted dispersion)‐plus‐(melt mixing). It was found that CNTs were uniformly embedded in SEBS matrix and a low percolation threshold was achieved at the CNT concentration of 0.186 vol %. According to thermal gravimetric analysis, the temperatures of 20% and 50% weight loss were improved from 316°C and 352°C of pure SEBS to 439°C and 463°C of the 3 wt % CNT/SEBS composites, respectively. Meanwhile, the tensile strength and elastic modulus were improved by about 75% and 181.2% from 24 and 1.6 MPa of pure SEBS to 42 and 4.5 MPa of the 3 wt % CNT/SEBS composite based on the tensile tests, respectively. Importantly, this simple and low‐cost method shows the potential for the preparation of CNT/polymer composite materials with enhanced electrical, mechanical properties, and thermal stability for industrial applications. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40227.     

Novel HDPE/ground tyre rubber composite materials obtained through in‐situ polymerization and polymerization filling technique

Novel hybrid materials composed by a high density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix and powdered rubber coming from scrap tyres (ground tyre rubber [GTR]) were prepared. Two methods were followed: ethylene was polymerized by a metallocene catalyst (Cp₂ZrCl₂/methylaluminoxane) in the presence of a toluene dispersion of the filler (in‐situ polymerization); and the ethylene was polymerized out after supporting the aluminum‐based co‐catalyst onto the rubber particles surface (polymerization filling technique). The experimental conditions were varied in order to achieve the best catalyst productivity. All the synthesized composites were characterized in order to investigate the occurrence and the extent of interactions between HDPE macromolecular chains and the GTR components and their effects onto the final properties, by comparison with a composite where GTR was included into the matrix through blending in the melt. Scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and solvent extractions were performed to this aim. The amount of thermoplastic matrix bonded to the filler was determined, and the extracted polymer was characterized by size exclusion chromatography and differential scanning calorimetry. Finally, stress–strain behavior of the composites obtained, respectively, by catalytic polymerization and melt mixing was compared. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40313.     

Effects of the compatibilizer structural parameters on microstructural formation in ethylene–propylene–diene monomer rubber/ethylene–propylene–diene monomer rubber‐g‐maleic anhydride/organoclay nanocomposites

Nanocomposite vulcanizates based on ethylene–propylene–diene monomer rubber (EPDM) and organically modified montmorillonite with improved mechanical and barrier properties were prepared via a melt‐mixing process in the presence of maleic anhydride grafted ethylene–propylene–diene monomer rubber (EPDM‐g‐MAH) as an interfacial compatibilizer. The effects of the EPDM Mooney viscosity as the matrix and also the compatibilizer molecular weight and its maleation degree on the developed microstructure were also studied. The annealing of the vulcanized nanocomposites based on a low‐Mooney‐viscosity EPDM matrix and low‐Mooney‐viscosity EPDM‐g‐MAH enhanced the flocculation of the dispersed clay platelets; this implied that the flocculated structure for the clay nanolayers was more thermodynamically preferred in these nanocomposites. This was verified by the decrease in the oxygen permeability of the nanocomposite vulcanizates with increasing annealing time. The tendency of the clay nanosilicate layers to flocculate within the matrix of EPDM was found to be influenced by the clay volume fraction, the maleation degree, and also, the Mooney viscosity of the compatibilizer. Interfacially compatibilized nanocomposites based on high‐molecular‐weight EPDM exhibited a more disordered dispersion of the clay nanolayers, with a broadened relaxation time spectra; this was attributed to the higher shearing subjected to the mix during the melt‐blending process. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

In situ synthesized and dispersed melamine polyphosphate flame retardant epoxy resin composites

The dispersion of flame retardants in polymer matrix has significant impact on the final properties of the final materials. Homogenous dispersion for additive type flame retardant powder in polymer melt or solution with high viscosity is a challenge all the time. In the present research, melamine polyphosphate (MPP) is employed to flame-retard the epoxy resin (EP). Different from direct addition of MPP powder in viscous EP glue like conventional means, MPP is firstly synthesized by melamine and polyphosphoric acid in a good solvent for EP. Keeping fine and even dispersion of the produced MPP particles, EP prepolymer is added into the MPP containing solution. By this way, perfect dispersion of the flame retardant can be achieved both in the glue and the cured resin. A series of tests such as the particle size analysis, flammability evaluation, and mechanical properties tests are conducted to compare the MPP flame retardant EP obtained by this method and the conventional one. It shows that the in situ synthesis and compounding method can endow the MPP incorporated EP glue system with better homogeneity and stability, hence leading to higher flame retardancy and obviously improved mechanical performance of the final composite. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47194.     

Toughening of epoxy resin systems using low‐viscosity additives

This study has evaluated three low‐viscosity epoxy additives as potential tougheners for two epoxy resin systems. The systems used were a lower‐reactive resin based upon the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and the amine hardener diethyltoluene diamine, while the second epoxy resin was based upon tetraglycidyl methylene dianiline (TGDDM) and a cycloaliphatic diamine hardener. The additives evaluated as potential tougheners were an epoxy‐terminated aliphatic polyester hyperbranched polymer, a carboxy‐terminated butadiene rubber and an aminopropyl‐terminated siloxane. This work has shown that epoxy‐terminated hyperbranched polyesters can be used effectively to toughen the lower cross‐linked epoxy resins, i.e. the DGEBA‐based systems, with the main advantage being that they have minimal effect upon processing parameters such as viscosity and the gel time, while improving the fracture properties by about 54 % at a level of 15 wt% of additive and little effect upon the T_g. This result was attributed to the phase‐separation process producing a multi‐phase particulate morphology able to initiate particle cavitation with little residual epoxy resin dissolved in the continuous epoxy matrix remaining after cure. The rubber additive was found to impart similar levels of toughness improvement but was achieved with a 10–20 °C decrease in the T_g and a 30 % increase in initial viscosity. The siloxane additive was found not to improve toughness at all for the DGEBA‐based resin system due to the poor dispersion within the epoxy matrix. The TGDDM‐based resin systems were found not to be toughened by any of the additives due to the lack of plastic deformation of the highly cross‐linked epoxy network Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of processing and functionalization methods on nylon‐6,6 nanocomposites with Helical‐ribbon carbon nanofibers

Helical‐ribbon carbon nanofiber‐based nylon‐6,6 nanocomposites were obtained by three processing methods: in situ polymerization, solvent processing through coagulation, and melt compounding. Composites were produced with pristine carbon nanofibers and four functionalization treatments, HNO₃, O₃, air/NH₃, and ethylenediamine, which form sets of two liquid/gas phase treatments and two acidic/basic treatments. Dispersion was monitored at the microscale by optical microscopy, showing clear differences depending on processing and functionalization methods. The best dispersion was obtained by solvent processing, whereas the most appropriate functionalizations were obtained by air/NH₃ and ethylenediamine treatments. It was observed that lower aspect ratio CNFs and stronger CNF‐matrix interaction increased crystallization temperature. Percolation was not detected in the melt‐compounded composites while network formation was observed at concentrations of 2 wt % in the solvent and in situ processing methods, where a high‐aspect ratio was critical for performance. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Thermotropic glazings for overheating protection. I. Material preselection,formulation, and light‐shielding efficiency

This article presents a systematic strategy for formulation and optimization of thermotropic layers for overheating protection purposes. Specifically, thermotropic systems with fixed domains (TSFD) which consist of a thermotropic additive finely dispersed in a matrix material are considered. Based on systematic material (component) preselection regarding thermoanalytical characteristics and refractive indices, numerous thermotropic layers were formulated. TSFD with thermoplastic matrix were produced by compounding and compression molding. TSFD with resin matrix were produced by UV curing. The thermotropic layers were analyzed as to solar optical properties, threshold temperature, switching process and residual transmittance in the opaque state applying UV/Vis/NIR spectrometry equipped with a heating stage. Best performing materials exhibited solar hemispheric transmittance in the range of 72.2–84.5% and between 59.6 and 83.7% in the clear and opaque state, respectively. Threshold temperatures between 45 and 75°C were realized. Refractive index difference between matrix and additive and solar hemispheric transmittance displayed a close correlation. Hence, refractometry was shown to be an appropriate tool for material preselection. Furthermore, investigations revealed a close correlation of thermal transitions of thermotropic additives recorded by differential scanning calorimetry and threshold temperatures of thermotropic layers formulated therewith. However, thermotropic layers formulated so far have to be optimized with respect to light‐shielding performance for efficient overheating protection. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39950.     

Flame retardancy and mechanical properties of polyamide 6 with melamine polyphosphate and ionic liquid surfactant‐treated montmorillonite

The mechanical properties and inflammability of polyamide 6 (PA6) nanocomposites incorporated with Montmorillonite organoclay (MMT) modified with thermal stable ionic liquid surfactants were investigated. The compatibility between ionic liquid‐treated MMT and PA6 matrix was improved and the intercalation morphology was achieved, which resulted in the increaseof tensile modulus. However, the addition of organo‐MMTs alone did not improve the inflammability of the PA6 nanocomposite, because of strong melt‐dripping behavior of PA6 matrix. Addition of auxiliary melamine polyphosphate (MPP) intumescent flame retardant to the nanocomposite prevented the melt dripping and enhanced inflammability performance. The enhanced inflammability of PA6/organoclay/MPP nanocomposites was attributed to the synergistic effect between imidazolium or phosphonium organo‐MMTs and intumescent flame retardant MPP. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40648.     

Recycling of polypropylene‐based eco‐composites

BACKGROUND: Renewable resources and recyclable thermoplastic polymers provide an attractive eco‐friendly quality as well as environmental sustainability to the resulting natural fibre‐reinforced composites. The properties of polypropylene (PP)‐based composites reinforced with rice hulls or kenaf fibres were investigated with respect to their recyclability. Rice hulls from rice processing plants and natural lignocellulosic kenaf fibres from the bast of the plant Hibiscus cannabinus represent renewable sources that could be utilized for composites. Maleic anhydride‐grafted PP was used as a coupling agent to improve the interfacial adhesion between fillers and matrix. Composites containing 30 wt% reinforcement were manufactured by melt mixing and their mechanical and thermal properties were determined. The composites were then pelletized and reprocessed by melt mixing. Finally, structure/properties relationships were investigated as a function of the number of reprocessing cycles. RESULTS: It is found that the recycling processes do not induce very significant changes in flexural strength and thermal stability of the composites. In particular PP‐based composites reinforced with kenaf fibres are less sensitive to reprocessing cycles with respect to PP‐based composites reinforced with rice hulls. CONCLUSION: The response of PP‐based composites reinforced with rice hulls or kenaf fibres is promising since their properties remain almost unchanged after recycling processes. Moreover, the recycled composites are suitable for applications as construction materials for indoor applications. In fact, the flexural strength and modulus of these materials are comparable to those of conventional formaldehyde wood medium‐density fibreboards. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Study on long fiber–reinforced thermoplastic composites prepared by in situ solid‐state polycondensation

Long glass fiber–reinforced thermoplastic composites were prepared by a new process, in situ solid‐state polycondensation (INSITU SSP). In this process reinforcing continuous fibers were impregnated by the oligomer of PET melt, and then the impregnated continuous fibers were cut to a desired length (designated prepreg); finally, the prepreg was in situ polymerized in the solid state to form the high molecular weight matrix. SEM, FTIR spectra, short‐beam shear stress test, flexural strength test, impact strength test, and the intrinsic viscosity measurement were used to investigate the wetting and interfacial adhesion, the mechanical properties of the composite, and the molecular weight of matrix resin in the composite. The results showed that the molecular weight of PET in the matrix resin and mechanical properties could be adjusted by controlling the SSP time and that the high level of interfacial adhesion between reinforcing fibers and matrix resin could be achieved by this novel INSITU SSP process, which are attributed to the good wetting of reinforcing fibers with low molecular weight oligomer melt as the impregnation fluid, the in situ formation of chemical grafting of oligomer chains onto the reinforcing fiber surface, and the in situ formation of the high molecular weight PET chains in the interphase regions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91:3959–3965, 2004     

Poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate)/clay nanocomposites for replacement of mineral oil based materials

Due to the short‐running of mineral oil and the increasing waste problem, biopolymers become more and more important. However, they still suffer from disadvantages, and in many cases, their properties are still insufficient to replace mineral oil based plastics. In this study, the biobased and biodegradable polymer poly (3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) is reinforced by different clay types and their effect on the properties profile is investigated. Natural as well as organomodified montmorillonite and bentonite are dispersed by melt mixing within the PHBV matrix. Thermal stability, crystallization behavior, and dynamic mechanical properties as well as the materials morphology is analyzed. Dispersion state of the nanoclay is found to be crucial for the improvement of the material performance and well dispersed organomodified clays reveal to simultaneously improve different properties of PHBV matrix. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:1033–1040, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Challenges in forming successful mixed matrix membranes with rigid polymeric materials

Mixed matrix materials comprised of molecular sieve domains embedded in processable polymer matrices have the potential to provide membranes with higher permselectivity and equivalent productivity compared to existing membrane materials. It has been shown that successful mixed matrix materials can be formed using relatively low glass transition (T_g) polymers that have a favorable interaction with the sieves. This article extends this earlier work to include the use of more practical rigid matrix polymers with high T_gs that can ultimately be used in forming high‐performance mixed matrix layers for composite membranes. Initial attempts to form mixed matrix materials based on high T_g polymers with a type 4A zeolite resulted in poor adhesion between the polymer and sieve. Correcting this problem was pursued in this study by forming the composite material close to the T_g of the polymer by addition of a plasticizer to match the matrix T_g with the solvent volatility. Forming the films at elevated temperatures presented substantial challenges, and this work discusses overcoming these challenges in detail. With some modifications in the film casting procedure, successful materials were achieved. Promising oxygen/nitrogen transport results are presented for these zeolite 4A–Matrimid®/plasticizer membranes, and this data compares favorably with predictions of the well‐known Maxwell model for composite systems. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 881–890, 2002     

Polycarbonate composites: Effect of filler type and melt‐blending process on the light diffusion properties

Transmittance and haze are key properties of light diffusion materials. Hybrid light diffusion agents (LDAs) and melt‐blending process are introduced to study optical performance and mechanical properties of polycarbonate (PC) light diffusion materials. Optical properties of PC composites prepared by two‐step melt‐blending process has better repeatability compared to one‐step method due to the better dispersion state of hybrid fillers in PC matrix. The hybrid fillers silicate microspheres (SMS)/nano titania particles (nTiO₂) are more suitable for PC matrix compared to cross‐linked poly(methyl methacrylate) microspheres (PMMA)/nTiO₂, for the reason that the PC/SMS/nTiO₂ composites exhibit favorable optical performance and almost no deterioration of mechanical properties. The good balance between high transmittance and substantial haze can be achieved when the SMS/nTiO₂ content is 1.2 wt% (the transmittance and haze are 60.97% and 88.73%, respectively). POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:374–380, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers