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The crystallization of the α- and β-form crystals of syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) is determined by the crystallization temperature. Being crystallized at various temperatures from the melt, sPS forms the β form crystal at high temperatures above about 230 °C, α form crystal at low temperatures below about 170 °C and a mixture of the α and β form at intermediate temperatures.

Single wall carbon nanotubes, multiwall carbon nanotubes, as well as carbon nanofibers (CNF) are being used for reinforcing polymer matrices. In this study, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites have been processed by melt blending, containing two different grades (PR-21-PS and PR-24-PS) of CNF manufactured by Applied Sciences Inc. The amount of nanofibers used was 5 and 10% by weight, respectively. The PMMA/CNF composites were processed into 4 mm diameter rods and 60 mm diameter fibers using the small-scale melt processing fiber spinning equipment. At 5 wt% CNF, composite rods as well as fibers show over 50% improvement in axial tensile modulus as compared to the control PMMA rod and fibers, respectively. The reinforcement efficiency decreased at 10 wt% CNFs. The PMMA/CNF nanocomposite fibers also show enhanced thermal stability, significantly reduced shrinkage and enhanced modulus retention with temperature, as well as improved compressive strength. CNF reinforcement efficiency has been analyzed using the modified Cox model. q