Composition‐Dependent Evolution of Flexibility, Impact, and Wear Resistance Properties in Zn ²⁺ ‐Neutralized EMAA ‐Based Ionomer/Polyphenylene Sulfi

ABSTRACT

This study presents a filler‐free approach to enhance the flexibility, impact resistance, and wear performance of pure polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) through melt‐blending with Zn ²⁺ ‐neutralized ethylene/methacrylic acid (E/MAA) ionomer via extrusion and injection molding. Structural characterization using FTIR and XRD revealed composition‐dependent peak shifts and intensifications, with significant changes occurring from approximately 30 wt% onward. The cryo‐fractured FESEM analysis shows the morphological evolution from a dual‐phase sea–island structure with brittle fracture up to 20 wt% to increased plastic deformation via fibrillation as the Zn‐ionomer content increases. Thermal analysis reveals a gradual decrease in the onset degradation temperature as ionomer content increases, whereas the blends' final decomposition temperature, melting temperature, and glass transition temperature show comparatively less effect. Dynamic mechanical analysis demonstrated enhanced chain mobility reflected by an increased critical strain from 0.73% for neat PPS to 3.57% for the Zn_50 blend. Although the blend exhibited reduced tensile strength and modulus with increasing ionomer loading, the maximum enhancements of approximately 180% in elongation at break, 164% in impact strength, and 135% in wear resistance were achieved at a 50/50 ionomer loading as compared with neat PPS. HR‐TEM analysis of the Zn_30 blend revealed a nanoscale phase‐separated domain, and SAED shows the retained crystalline structure of PPS after melt‐blending. The findings suggest that the improved flexibility, impact, and wear resistance are associated with the composition‐dependent effect of Zn‐ionomer blending, as an effective approach for tailoring the performance of PPS‐based systems for demanding engineering applications.