Polypropylene/Polystyrene and Clay Nanocomposites: Elaboration, Morphological and Thermal Characterizations

Heriniaina Theophyle Joyeux; Mizea Rabearison Miller; Bricharles Tsarambita Oudinot; Heriarivelo Risite

doi:doi:10.11648/j.cm.20261001.12

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Polypropylene/Polystyrene and Clay Nanocomposites: Elaboration, Morphological and Thermal Characterizations

Heriniaina Theophyle Joyeux

, Mizea Rabearison Miller

, Bricharles Tsarambita Oudinot

, Heriarivelo Risite^*

Published in Composite Materials (Volume 10, Issue 1)

Received: 27 April 2026 Accepted: 8 May 2026 Published: 12 June 2026

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Abstract

This study focuses on the preparation and characterization of polymer blends-clay nanocomposites based on thermoplastic polymers and nanometric clay, with the aim of investigating the influence of compatibilizing agents namely grafted polymers. The polypropylene (PP)/polystyrene (PS)/ montmorillonite (CA) clay blends were prepared by melt processing using PP-grafted silane (PP-g-VTEOS) as compatibilizer. At fixed content of clay (5 wt%), addition of PP-g-VTEOS was found to create, firstly, PS droplet well dispersed and distributed with reduced size proved by Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) images and at the same time showed the improvement of the dispersion and distribution of clay. X-ray Diffraction(XRD) spectra of nanocomposites revealed that intercalated/partial exfoliated structures were obtained. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the degree of dispersion and distribution of clay within polymer matrix plays a vital role in property improvement. This study thus highlights the crucial role of compatibilizing agents in the development of high-performance polymer nanocomposites, paving the way for new formulations aimed at high value-added applications.

Published in	Composite Materials (Volume 10, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.cm.20261001.12
Page(s)	12-16
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Immiscible PP/PS Blends, Clay, Silane Grafting, Nanocomposites, Thermal Characterisation

References

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APA Style

Joyeux, H. T., Miller, M. R., Oudinot, B. T., Risite, H. (2026). Polypropylene/Polystyrene and Clay Nanocomposites: Elaboration, Morphological and Thermal Characterizations. Composite Materials, 10(1), 12-16. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cm.20261001.12

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ACS Style

Joyeux, H. T.; Miller, M. R.; Oudinot, B. T.; Risite, H. Polypropylene/Polystyrene and Clay Nanocomposites: Elaboration, Morphological and Thermal Characterizations. Compos. Mater. 2026, 10(1), 12-16. doi: 10.11648/j.cm.20261001.12

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AMA Style

Joyeux HT, Miller MR, Oudinot BT, Risite H. Polypropylene/Polystyrene and Clay Nanocomposites: Elaboration, Morphological and Thermal Characterizations. Compos Mater. 2026;10(1):12-16. doi: 10.11648/j.cm.20261001.12

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@article{10.11648/j.cm.20261001.12,
  author = {Heriniaina Theophyle Joyeux and Mizea Rabearison Miller and Bricharles Tsarambita Oudinot and Heriarivelo Risite},
  title = {Polypropylene/Polystyrene and Clay Nanocomposites: Elaboration, Morphological and Thermal Characterizations
},
  journal = {Composite Materials},
  volume = {10},
  number = {1},
  pages = {12-16},
  doi = {10.11648/j.cm.20261001.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cm.20261001.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cm.20261001.12},
  abstract = {This study focuses on the preparation and characterization of polymer blends-clay nanocomposites based on thermoplastic polymers and nanometric clay, with the aim of investigating the influence of compatibilizing agents namely grafted polymers. The polypropylene (PP)/polystyrene (PS)/ montmorillonite (CA) clay blends were prepared by melt processing using PP-grafted silane (PP-g-VTEOS) as compatibilizer. At fixed content of clay (5 wt%), addition of PP-g-VTEOS was found to create, firstly, PS droplet well dispersed and distributed with reduced size proved by Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) images and at the same time showed the improvement of the dispersion and distribution of clay. X-ray Diffraction(XRD) spectra of nanocomposites revealed that intercalated/partial exfoliated structures were obtained. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the degree of dispersion and distribution of clay within polymer matrix plays a vital role in property improvement. This study thus highlights the crucial role of compatibilizing agents in the development of high-performance polymer nanocomposites, paving the way for new formulations aimed at high value-added applications.
},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Polypropylene/Polystyrene and Clay Nanocomposites: Elaboration, Morphological and Thermal Characterizations

AU  - Heriniaina Theophyle Joyeux
AU  - Mizea Rabearison Miller
AU  - Bricharles Tsarambita Oudinot
AU  - Heriarivelo Risite
Y1  - 2026/06/12
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cm.20261001.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.cm.20261001.12
T2  - Composite Materials
JF  - Composite Materials
JO  - Composite Materials
SP  - 12
EP  - 16
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2994-7103
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cm.20261001.12
AB  - This study focuses on the preparation and characterization of polymer blends-clay nanocomposites based on thermoplastic polymers and nanometric clay, with the aim of investigating the influence of compatibilizing agents namely grafted polymers. The polypropylene (PP)/polystyrene (PS)/ montmorillonite (CA) clay blends were prepared by melt processing using PP-grafted silane (PP-g-VTEOS) as compatibilizer. At fixed content of clay (5 wt%), addition of PP-g-VTEOS was found to create, firstly, PS droplet well dispersed and distributed with reduced size proved by Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) images and at the same time showed the improvement of the dispersion and distribution of clay. X-ray Diffraction(XRD) spectra of nanocomposites revealed that intercalated/partial exfoliated structures were obtained. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the degree of dispersion and distribution of clay within polymer matrix plays a vital role in property improvement. This study thus highlights the crucial role of compatibilizing agents in the development of high-performance polymer nanocomposites, paving the way for new formulations aimed at high value-added applications.

VL  - 10
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Heriniaina Theophyle Joyeux

Physics Departement, University of Toliara, Toliara, Madagascar

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7371-3560
Mizea Rabearison Miller

Physics Departement, University of Toliara, Toliara, Madagascar; Test and Analysis of Materials, Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines(IH.SM), Toliara, Madagascar

http://orcid.org/0009-0001-9175-0610
Bricharles Tsarambita Oudinot

Physics Departement, University of Toliara, Toliara, Madagascar

http://orcid.org/0009-0004-6983-430X
Heriarivelo Risite

Physics Departement, University of Toliara, Toliara, Madagascar; Test and Analysis of Materials, Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines(IH.SM), Toliara, Madagascar

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0009-1758-8385

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APA Style

Joyeux, H. T., Miller, M. R., Oudinot, B. T., Risite, H. (2026). Polypropylene/Polystyrene and Clay Nanocomposites: Elaboration, Morphological and Thermal Characterizations. Composite Materials, 10(1), 12-16. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cm.20261001.12

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ACS Style

Joyeux, H. T.; Miller, M. R.; Oudinot, B. T.; Risite, H. Polypropylene/Polystyrene and Clay Nanocomposites: Elaboration, Morphological and Thermal Characterizations. Compos. Mater. 2026, 10(1), 12-16. doi: 10.11648/j.cm.20261001.12

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AMA Style

Joyeux HT, Miller MR, Oudinot BT, Risite H. Polypropylene/Polystyrene and Clay Nanocomposites: Elaboration, Morphological and Thermal Characterizations. Compos Mater. 2026;10(1):12-16. doi: 10.11648/j.cm.20261001.12

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@article{10.11648/j.cm.20261001.12,
  author = {Heriniaina Theophyle Joyeux and Mizea Rabearison Miller and Bricharles Tsarambita Oudinot and Heriarivelo Risite},
  title = {Polypropylene/Polystyrene and Clay Nanocomposites: Elaboration, Morphological and Thermal Characterizations
},
  journal = {Composite Materials},
  volume = {10},
  number = {1},
  pages = {12-16},
  doi = {10.11648/j.cm.20261001.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cm.20261001.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cm.20261001.12},
  abstract = {This study focuses on the preparation and characterization of polymer blends-clay nanocomposites based on thermoplastic polymers and nanometric clay, with the aim of investigating the influence of compatibilizing agents namely grafted polymers. The polypropylene (PP)/polystyrene (PS)/ montmorillonite (CA) clay blends were prepared by melt processing using PP-grafted silane (PP-g-VTEOS) as compatibilizer. At fixed content of clay (5 wt%), addition of PP-g-VTEOS was found to create, firstly, PS droplet well dispersed and distributed with reduced size proved by Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) images and at the same time showed the improvement of the dispersion and distribution of clay. X-ray Diffraction(XRD) spectra of nanocomposites revealed that intercalated/partial exfoliated structures were obtained. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the degree of dispersion and distribution of clay within polymer matrix plays a vital role in property improvement. This study thus highlights the crucial role of compatibilizing agents in the development of high-performance polymer nanocomposites, paving the way for new formulations aimed at high value-added applications.
},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Polypropylene/Polystyrene and Clay Nanocomposites: Elaboration, Morphological and Thermal Characterizations

AU  - Heriniaina Theophyle Joyeux
AU  - Mizea Rabearison Miller
AU  - Bricharles Tsarambita Oudinot
AU  - Heriarivelo Risite
Y1  - 2026/06/12
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cm.20261001.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.cm.20261001.12
T2  - Composite Materials
JF  - Composite Materials
JO  - Composite Materials
SP  - 12
EP  - 16
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2994-7103
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cm.20261001.12
AB  - This study focuses on the preparation and characterization of polymer blends-clay nanocomposites based on thermoplastic polymers and nanometric clay, with the aim of investigating the influence of compatibilizing agents namely grafted polymers. The polypropylene (PP)/polystyrene (PS)/ montmorillonite (CA) clay blends were prepared by melt processing using PP-grafted silane (PP-g-VTEOS) as compatibilizer. At fixed content of clay (5 wt%), addition of PP-g-VTEOS was found to create, firstly, PS droplet well dispersed and distributed with reduced size proved by Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) images and at the same time showed the improvement of the dispersion and distribution of clay. X-ray Diffraction(XRD) spectra of nanocomposites revealed that intercalated/partial exfoliated structures were obtained. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the degree of dispersion and distribution of clay within polymer matrix plays a vital role in property improvement. This study thus highlights the crucial role of compatibilizing agents in the development of high-performance polymer nanocomposites, paving the way for new formulations aimed at high value-added applications.

VL  - 10
IS  - 1
ER  -

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