Influence of the surface modification of a filler on the properties of high‐impact polystyrene composites

A novel technique of surface modification was used to treat nanomodified aluminum trihydrate (nano‐CG‐ATH). The results of the surface modification were characterized with transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectra. The effects of the surface modification on the properties of high‐impact polystyrene (HIPS) composites were studied with limiting oxygen index (LOI) and mechanical tests. The dispersion of nano‐CG‐ATH in the HIPS matrix and the interfacial adhesion between them were observed with transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The experimental results demonstrate that the surface of nano‐CG‐ATH was successfully grafted by an organic substance, and the dispersion of treated nano‐CG‐ATH in ethanol was better than that of untreated nano‐CG‐ATH. At high loadings, the mechanical properties and LOI values of the HIPS composites with treated nano‐CG‐ATH were higher than those of the HIPS composites with untreated nano‐CG‐ATH. The dispersion of treated nano‐CG‐ATH in the HIPS matrix was better than that of untreated nano‐CG‐ATH in the HIPS matrix. Also, the interfacial adhesion between the HIPS matrix and treated nano‐CG‐ATH was better than that between the HIPS matrix and untreated nano‐CG‐ATH. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009