Reactive Compatibilization and Properties of Recycled Poly(ethylene terephthalate)/Poly(ethylene-octene) Blends

Abstract

High toughness recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (R-PET)/poly(ethylene-octene) (POE) blends were prepa scanning electron microscopy red by adding glycidyl methacrylate grafted poly(ethylene-octene) (mPOE) as reactive compatibilizer. Evidence for reaction between the carboxyl or hydroxyl end groups of R-PET and the epoxy groups of mPOE under the conditions of processing to form graft copolymers (PET-g-mPOE) is presented. Effects of compatibilizer on morphology and mechanical and thermal properties of the blends were evaluated systematically. The results showed that dispersed phase particle size decreased with increasing mPOE content until the critical compatibilizer concentration (5 wt%) was reached. Notched Charpy impact strength and elongation at break were improved greatly by the addition of compatibilizer. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis showed POE could act as a nucleating agent in the R-PET matrix to improve the crystallization temperature, while the graft copolymers formed in compatibilized R-PET/POE blends decreased the nucleation activity.