In this work, beta-polypropylene/polystyrene (beta-PP/PS) blends were prepared with PP, PS, and a novel supported beta-nucleating agent or beta-nucleated PP and PS. The beta-PP/PS blends were compatabilized by PP-g-MA, PP-g-GMA, POE-g-MA, and EVA-g-MA, respectively. For exploring the effect of PS amount and compatibilizers on the beta-nucleation of PP, crystallization behavior and melting characteristics, the beta-crystal content and crystal morphology of beta-PP are characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and polarized light microscopy (POM). The results indicated that the PP with high content of beta-crystal was obtained by addition of CaCO3 supported beta-nucleating agent (beta-NA) into PP. The beta-nucleation, crystallization behavior, and melting characteristics, and the beta-crystal content of beta-PP in these blends were not influenced by addition of PS and its amount. However, the increased content of PS decreased the size of beta-spherulites of PP in these blends. The beta-nucleation of PP in compatabilized blends slightly depended on the compatibilizers. beta-PP/PS blends with high beta-crystal content can easily be prepared. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013