in situ Compatibilization by Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction has the commercial potential in the recycling of commingled post-consumed polymers containing polystyrene (PS) and polyolefin.The most important problem in the approach of in situ compatibilization of PS/POE (polyolefin elastomer) blends is to increase the efficiency of grafting and limit the degradation of the blending components.In order to increase the efficiency of grafting

the styrene (St) monomers were added into the in situ compatibilized PS/polyolefin elastomer (POE) blends.The graft degree of PS/POE/St/AlCl3 (80/20/n/0.8

wt%) increased from 8.6% to 14.0% with the St content increased from 0 to 0.6%

indicating that the addition of St could accelerate the Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction.The St/AlCl3 catalyst system initiated more PS-graft-POE copolymers than the single AlCl3 catalyst.Because those PS-graft-POE copolymers acted as the compatibilizers between the interface of PS and POE

the mechanical properties of PS/POE blends were greatly improved.For example

the Charpy impact strength increased from 8.5 kJ/m2 to 9.9 kJ/m2 and the elongation at break increased from 22% to 29% when 0.6% St was added to PS/POE/AlCl3 (80/20/0.8

wt%) blend.Besides

the two-step extrusion procedure gave better mechanical properties of PS/POE blends

which were the results of a limitation of degradation of blending components when the master batch product and virgin polymers were extruded in the second extrusion step.