Three-way evolved gas analysis-mass spectrometry combined with principal component analysis (EGA-MS-PCA) to probe interfacial states between matrix and filler in poly(styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene) (SBS) nanocomposites

Abstract We have developed a three-way evolved gas analysis-mass spectrometry technique combined with principal component analysis (EGA-MS-PCA) to probe the interfacial state between matrix and filler in poly(styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene) (SBS) nanocomposites containing graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs). Although the peaks arising from the polystyrene and polybutadiene components present in the system were readily captured, the different patterns of peak intensities, which vary according to the applied temperature and GNP content, make interpretation of the data difficult. The data sets are thus subjected to mathematical decomposition based on principal component analysis (PCA) to selectively derive essential information. The EGA-MS-PCA process reveals that the inclusion of GNPs essentially works to restrict the decomposition of the polystyrene component in the SBS sample, mostly indicating the formation of a π–π stacking interaction between the SBS and GNPs. This observation, in turn, provides in-depth understanding that is likely to lead to stiffness of SBS by incorporation of GNPs.