Effect of surface modification with 3-aminopropyltriethyloxy silane on mechanical and crystallization performances of ZnO/poly(butylenesuccinate) composites

The surface modifications of tetrapod-shaped ZnO whisker (T-ZnO) and nano-ZnO (N-ZnO) were treated with 3-aminopropyltriethyloxy silane (APS), which were further utilized to reinforce poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) by melt extrusion. This work explored the interface compatibilities between the PBS matrix and the two types of ZnO fillers (T-ZnO and N-ZnO), and discussed the effect of the ZnO fillers on the mechanical and the crystallization performances of the ZnO/PBS composites. FT-IR and XPS analyses confirm the existence of APS on the surfaces of the modified ZnO fillers. The SEM images suggest that the surface modifications of two ZnO fillers by APS can enhance the interface adhesion between the ZnO fillers and the PBS matrix. The mechanical properties of the composites increase to different degree, and the dispersity of N-ZnO in PBS matrix is improved, thus N-ZnO has better reinforcing effect on the PBS matrix. However, T-ZnO does not show the reinforcing effect as expected. The crystallization kinetics of the ZnO/PBS composites shows that N-ZnO with better nucleation than that of T-ZnO and the surface modifications of T-ZnO and N-ZnO by APS can accelerate the crystallization rates of the two types of ZnO/PBS composites.