Effect of Temperature on Storage Modulus and Glass Transition Temperature of ZnS/PS Nanocomposites

In the present study, a simplified solution casting method has been used for preparation of ZnS/PS nanocomposites, based on mixing the ZnS nano filler in nanometer range with the polymer matrix. The prepared nanocomposites with different concentration (0, 2, 4, 6 & 8 wt %) are structurally characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The main objective of this study is to investigate the variation of storage modulus and glass transition temperature (T-g) within temperature range 30 degrees C to 150 degrees C for PS and ZnS/PS nanocomposites and have been performed through dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). The result shows that storage modulus and T-g of nanocomposites increase with the increase of ZnS nanoparticles up to 4 wt. % in PS and beyond this wt. %, both storage modulus and T-g decrease. The increasing behavior is due to the good adhesion between the ZnS nanoparticles and PS matrix which indicates that ZnS nanoparticles are capable of reinforcing the PS matrix. Beside this the decreasing behaviour at higher filler concentration (6 and 8 wt. %) is due to the agglomeratation of nanoparticles in polymer matrix.