Compatibilization effect of silanized SiC particles on polybutylene adipate terephthalate/polycarbonate blends

Abstract

The compatibility between polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and polycarbonate (PC) was improved by addition of surface-treated silicon carbide (T-SiC) particles. Spectroscopic analyses revealed the successful functionalization of the chemically passive SiC surface by methacrylate silane coupling agents. The composites exhibited good interfacial interactions between PBAT and PC matrices. The morphological analysis confirmed that the T-SiC particles showed a homogeneous dispersion and served as compatibilizing agents for PBAT and PC. Incorporating a high SiC loading hindered the polymer chain relaxation, decreasing the crystallization temperature and the elongation at break. The tensile strength and Young's modulus of the composites showed 2- and 3-folds increase, respectively, with the addition of T-SiC particles. Similarly, the composites became stiffer with a maximum storage modulus about 9 folds higher than that of neat PBAT. A thermal conductivity of ~1.3 W m−1 K−1, corresponding to ~500% enhancement, was achieved by incorporating only 17.6 vol% T-SiC. © 2020 Elsevier B.V.