Abstract: A process for making a block copolymer compatibilizer, comprising reacting an acrylic monomer that has functional groups with one or more vinyl monomers in the presence of a free radical initiator and a stable free radical to form a reaction product that includes residual unreacted acrylic monomer, and reacting one or more vinyl monomers with the reaction product to form a second block that incorporates the residual unreacted acrylic monomer. A blend composition comprising a first thermoplastic polymer, which has functional groups, a reactive block copolymer that has functional groups in two or more blocks, and a second thermoplastic polymer that is compatible with one block of the block copolymer, where the functional groups in the first thermoplastic react with the functional groups in the block copolymer.

Abstract: A method for modifying an inorganic tubule, such as halloysite, cylindrite, boulangerite, or imogolite, with a functionalized block copolymer for improving compatibility with a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer matrix and a composition for the modified inorganic tubule and for the modified inorganic tubule-polymer matrix are provided. In one embodiment, the block copolymer can be added to a slurry of the inorganic tubules. The pH of the slurry can be manipulated to promote ionic bonding between the inorganic tubules and one block of the block copolymer. The other block of the block copolymer is selected for compatibility with the polymer matrix for a particular application.