| Abstract
| - Random, block, and graft copolymers of polystyrene andpoly(4-vinylphenol) were studiedas compatibilizers for organic−inorganic composite (OIC) materials.The concept is to use these polymersto reduce the interfacial tension in incompatible OIC materials.This should reduce the particle size ofthe dispersed inorganic phase and improve adhesion between thecomponents, resulting in better opticaland mechanical properties. Dynamic mechanical and ultimatephysical properties, as well as transmissionelectron micrographs, are provided as evidence for thecompatibilization of polystyrene and titaniaproduced in situ. These results clearly show that the domain sizeof the dispersed phase can be reducedand the mechanical properties improved with compatibilizers.Perhaps surprisingly, poly(4-vinylphenol)homopolymer was also found to be an effective compatibilizer inpolystyrene−titania composites. Analternate compatibilization mechanism is proposed for thehomopolymer.
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