Reinforced mechanical properties and heat resistance of recycled acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene/anhydrous zinc chloride coordination composites

Abstract In this work, the recycled acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (rABS)/anhydrous zinc chloride (ZnCl ₂ ) composites were prepared and the reinforcing effects of the rABS/ZnCl ₂ composites were investigated using various characterization techniques. During heat pressing at 190°C, a strong coordination interaction occurred between Zn ²⁺ of ZnCl ₂ particles and CN groups of rABS matrix, which resulting in an enhancement of mechanical and thermal properties in comparison with the neat rABS. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dissolution experiments, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy were applied to prove the coordination reaction. Scanning electron microscopy showed ZnCl ₂ particles were homogeneously dispersed in the rABS matrix. Tensile test analysis showed that the flexural strength and tensile strength of rABS/ZnCl ₂ composites increased by around 12.07% and 18.17%, respectively, when adding 7 phr of ZnCl ₂ into the rABS resin. Furthermore, heat deflection temperature analysis, thermogravimetric analysis as well as dynamic mechanical analysis proved that the coordination reaction dramatically improved the heat resistance of rABS matrix. Besides, the recycling ability of the composites had also been proved.