Combined effects of clay modifications and compatibilizers on the formation and physical properties of melt‐mixed polypropylene/clay nanocomposites

Abstract

The melt mixing technique was used to prepare various polypropylene (PP)‐based (nano)composites. Two commercial organoclays (denoted 20A and 30B) served as the fillers for the PP matrix, and two different maleated (so‐called) compatibilizers (denoted PP‐MA and SMA) were employed as the third component. The results from X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) experiments revealed that 190 °C was an adequate temperature for preparing the nanocomposites. Nanocomposites were achieved only if specific pairs of organoclay and compatibilizer were simultaneously incorporated in the PP matrix. For example, PP/20A(5 wt %)/PP‐MA(10 wt %) and PP/30B(5 wt %)/SMA(5 wt %) composites exhibited nanoscaled dispersion of 20A or 30B in the PP matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results indicated that the organoclays served as nucleation agents for the PP matrix. Generally, their nucleation effectiveness increased with the addition of compatibilizers. The thermal stability enhancement of PP after adding 20A was confirmed with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The enhancement became more evident as a suitable compatibilizer was further added. However, for the 30B‐included composites, thermal stability enhancement was not evident. The dynamic mechanical properties (i.e., storage modulus and loss modulus) of PP increased as the nanocomposites were formed; the properties increment corresponded to the organoclay dispersion status in the matrix. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 4139–4150, 2004

Organoclay/thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer nanocomposites. Part I: Effects of concentration on morphology, liquid crystallinity and thermal properties

“…TGA curves do not show weight loss below 200 o C, as shown in the Figure 8, indicating that no water or residual solvent remained in the samples. Because of some organic molecules in interlayer spaces, clay began to lose weight at 230 o C and finally had 30.0 wt% losses at 600 o C at two different conditions, similar to the results reported by Chiu et al [12]. In air condition, no oxidation occurred for nanocomposites until 270 o C, TLCP and TC3 curves follow the same route but TC25 and TC50 followed another route.…”

Micro-Rheological Study on Fully Exfoliated Organoclay Modified Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline Polymer and Its Viscosity Reduction Effect on High Molecular Mass Polyethylene

“…No weight loss occurred below 200 o C in any of the samples. Because of the presence of some organic molecules in interlayer spaces, the clay began to lose weight at 230 o C; at 600 o C, the clay weight loss was 30 %, similar to the result reported by Chiu et al [23] Comparing TLCP with TC3 white, the thermal stability of TC3 white increased. For example, for TLCP, the temperature at which the weight loss started was 335 o C whereas for TC3 white, it was 349 o C. For TLCP, the temperature at which the weight loss was halved was 530 o C and for the nanocomposite, it was 549 o C. TLCP used here was a semicrystalline nematic forming TLCP.…”

Oxygen barrier property of polypropylene-polyether treated clay nanocomposite

“…Shear processing with ultrasonication or conventional compounding equipment will decrease the nanocomposite formation time by disruption of primary particles and establishing composite uniformity [10]. Disappearance of peaks in clay PP composites sug- [41]. The same authors demonstrated exfoliation with poly(styreneco-maleic-anhydride) (PS-g-MA) oligomer as compatibilizer instead of PP-g-MA.…”