Polymeric Nanofibers of Various Degrees of Cross‐Linking as Fillers in Poly(styrene‐stat‐n‐butyl acrylate) Nanocomposites: Overcoming the Trade‐Off between Tensile Strength and Stretchability

Synthesis of light polymer nanocomposites with high strength and toughness has been a significant interest for its potential applications in industry. Herein, the authors have synthesized polymerization‐induced self‐assembly (PISA) derived nanodimensional polymeric worm (fiber) reinforced polymer nanocomposites by a simple and environmentally friendly synthesis process without the addition of volatile organic compounds. PISA‐derived worms with a core‐forming block of low glass transition temperature (Tg ≈ 27.1 °C) comprising poly(styrene‐stat‐n‐butyl acrylate) have been employed as reinforcing filler. The influence of core‐segment cross‐linking on reinforcement efficiency has been explored by comparing noncross‐linked worms, and worms cross‐linked with a small amount of ethylene glycol diacrylate introduced at t = 0 h or t = 2 h of polymerization. Upon addition of 1 wt% of noncross‐linked, t = 0 h cross‐linked, and t = 2 h cross‐linked worms, toughness of polymer nanocomposites can be enhanced by 62%, 114%, and 120%, respectively. The results suggest that the reinforcement efficiency of worms is significantly influenced by the cross‐linking of core‐segments regardless of cross‐linking methods. This work broadens the understanding in application of PISA‐derived worms as reinforcing filler by demonstrating the efficient reinforcement with low Tg worms. Worms (fibers) with low glass transition temperature core‐segments (Tg ≈ 27.1 °C) have been employed as reinforcement filler in a poly(styrene‐stat‐n‐butyl acrylate) matrix. Significant enhancement in the toughness of the polymer nanocomposites can be achieved upon addition of worms with light cross‐linking on core‐segments with worm loading as low as 1 wt%.