Preparation and characterization of polystyrene/modified carbon black composite beads via in situ suspension polymerization

A facile and effective method was introduced into this article to modify carbon black (CB). Fourier‐transform infrared spectrum demonstrates the chemical structure of CB has obviously changed after surface modification. Compared with pure CB, the thermogravimetric analysis illustrates thermal behavior of modified CB (MCB) exhibits a well‐defined difference from CB. Besides, aggregation phenomenon existed in CB is weakened evidently after surface modification. A series of polystyrene (PS) composite beads in presence of MCB were synthesized via in situ suspension polymerization process. The effects of benzoyl peroxide dosage and MCB dosage on the polymerization time of PS composite beads were systematically researched. After modification, the inhibition effect of MCB on the polymerization of PS/MCB composite beads is obviously weakened. The dispersion of MCB in PS/MCB composite beads is greatly improved than that of CB in PS/CB composite beads. Moreover, PS/MCB beads have the better thermal stability than that of PS and PS/CB composite beads. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:1110–1118, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers