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Composites based on poly (trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT)/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) blend with maleic anhydride grafted PTT (PTT-g-MA) as a compatibilizer and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as reinforcers were prepared via melt-mixing, and the mechanical, electrical, and barrier properties of the as-fabricated composites were evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization of the cross-section of the composites after tensile test showed improved phase stability in the presence of the compatibilizer PTT-g-MA. The toughness of the composites was also improved with the addition of the compatibilizer and CNTs. Electrical conductivity tests were carried out and the results showed that CNT-reinforced composite exhibited significantly increased conductivity. Since barrier properties are very sensitive to structural changes, the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of the composites was measured and the results showed that the composites possess a much high oxygen barrier compared to that of the neat PTT or ABS. Keywords: Poly (trimethylene terephthalate), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, Composite, Compatibilizer, Carbon nanotubes

Maleic anhydride (MA) grafted with poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT)—abbreviated as PTT-g-MA—can be used as a compatibilizing agent to improve the compatibility and dispersion of nanofillers and a dispersed polymer phase into PTT matrix. This work suggests the preparation of PTT-g-MA using a mixture of PTT, MA, and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) by a reactive extrusion process. PTT-g-MA was characterized to confirm the grafting reaction of maleic anhydride on PTT chains by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Thermal properties (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)) and rheological analysis (parallel plates rheology) were used to prove the changes that occurred after the graphitization reaction. The reactive processing route allowed the production of the compatibilizing agent (PTT-g-MA) with good thermal properties and with lower viscosity compared to neat PTT, and this could be an alternative for the compatibilization of polymer blends, as example for PTT/ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) blends and nanocomposites based on PTT matrix.