The influence of hematite nano-crystals on the thermal stability of polystyrene

A synthetic procedure based on thermal hydrolysis of iron(III) chloride solutions for the preparation of hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) sol consisting of nano-crystals (NCs) is described. The α-Fe₂O₃ NCs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements. Incorporation of α-Fe₂O₃ NCs into polystyrene (PS) was based on the transfer of α-Fe₂O₃ NCs from the aqueous phase to the organic solvent. A significant shift in the glass transition temperature of PS by 17 °C towards higher temperatures was observed after incorporation of α-Fe₂O₃ NCs. Also, the thermal stability of PS was improved by about 100 °C in the presence of 3.6 wt% of α-Fe₂O₃ NCs.