TiO2‐PDVB Janus particles enhanced compatibility of titanium dioxide and recycled waste styrofoam

ABSTRACT People are always puzzled by “white pollution” in recent decade. Recycling of waste styrofoam as a coating is a good sustainable solution to resolve this problem. However, the poor compatibility between inorganic additives and polymer hinders the application of recycled polystyrene. In this article, anisotropic Janus particles were used to increase the compatibility of titanium dioxide/waste styrofoam coatings. SEM results show that Janus particles can be anchored at the interface between styrofoam and titanium dioxide, increasing the dispersion of titanium dioxide, and improving the compatibility of inorganic particles and organic polymer. The glass‐transition temperature of styrofoam coating increases from 77 °C to 89 °C in titanium dioxide/styrofoam contained 1 wt % of Janus particles, which certified that Janus particles have compatibilization on titanium dioxide/styrofoam coating. Attributing to this compatibilization, the tensile strength of titanium dioxide/styrofoam with 1 wt % of Janus particles rises about 45% compared with titanium dioxide/styrofoam. The yield stress, storage modulus, and viscosity of titanium dioxide/styrofoam contained 1 wt % of Janus particles are the smallest and the closest to Newtonian fluid. Janus particles used in the recycled styrofoam coating is benefit to expand the application of waste styrofoam and the new anisotropic Janus compatibilizer. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 137 , 48691.