Interface Engineering of PE/PP/ABS Ternary Blends: A Comparative Study on the Compatibilization Effects of Janus Nanosheets and POE- g -MAH

Abstract

With the widespread global use of plastics, waste plastic has become a major environmental concern. Consequently, considerable theoretical and practical importance has been attached to the recycling and high-value utilization of these materials. In this study, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin, three of the most widely used commodity plastics, were selected as model materials. A Janus nanosheet modified with phenyl and hexadecyl groups (Ph/C16 JNs) was synthesized as a compatibilizer for PE/PP/ABS blends. The results showed that, with increasing Ph/C16 JNs content, the domain size of the dispersed phase decreased, and the mechanical properties of the blends improved. Compared with the conventional industrial compatibilizer maleic anhydride-grafted polyolefin elastomer (POE-g-MAH), Ph/C16 JNs exhibited superior compatibilization performance at low loadings. This study systematically compares the compatibilization mechanisms of Janus nanosheets and POE-g-MAH, as well as the resulting blend properties. These findings provide insights into the design of efficient compatibilizers for mixed plastic systems and may contribute to the development of potential strategies for the high-value utilization of mixed waste plastics composed of different polymer types.