ABS/Polydopamine modified boron nitride nanocomposites: an insight into mechanical, thermal and tribological performance

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) has been modified with polydopamine to ensure effective interaction with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) terpolymer matrix. The study explores the benefit of polydopamine modified boron nitride (PDA@BN) on the mechanical, thermal and frictional properties of ABS matrix. ABS/PDA@BN nanocomposites were prepared with different concentration of PDA@BN through simple solvent casting followed compression molding methods. FTIR spectroscopy and XRD analysis were done to examine the interaction of fillers with the polymer matrix. The fracture surface of ABS/PDA@BN were studied in details to disclose the role of ABS-PDA@BN interface quality on toughening the matrix. The presence of PDA@BN in ABS matrix, helped to enhance the tensile strength and frictional properties of ABS nanocomposites compared to unmodified h-BN over a range of filler loading. The optimum properties were recorded for ABS with 1 wt % PDA@BN content.