Morphology and rheological behavior of poly(butylene terephthalate)/polypropylene blends filled by two types of organoclays

Abstract

The present research investigates the morphology and rheological behavior of poly(butylene terephthalate)/polypropylene (PBT/PP) blends containing hydrophilic and hydrophobic organoclays. The distribution of nanoclays and morphology of nanocomposites were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission and scanning electron microscopies. The XRD patterns show that the level of intercalation structure in nanocomposites reinforced by hydrophilic nanoclay is significantly higher than nanocomposites filled by hydrophobic one. According to morphological analysis, both types of nanocomposites indicate the reduction of droplet size, whereas hydrophilic nanoparticles illustrate more compatibilization efficiency than hydrophobic. According to transmission electron microscopy, hydrophilic nanoclays are mainly localized in the PBT matrix and at the interface, whereas hydrophobic nanoparticles are confined in the PP-dispersed phase and at the interface. From the rheological point of view, the results show that nanocomposites with hydrophilic nanoclay show stronger pseudoplasticity, higher viscosity, and more elasticity than nanocomposites with the hydrophobic one. The localization of hydrophilic organoclay in the PBT matrix aids to finer morphology of the PBT/PP blend, whereas hydrophobic one resists the breakup of droplets by confinement in dispersed phase.

Structural, thermal, and viscoelastic response of nanoclay reinforced polylactic acid/thermoplastic polyurethane shape‐memory nanocomposites of low transition temperature

“… where τ 1 and τ 2 are the surface tensions of components 1 or 2, are the dispersive parts of the surface tensions of components 1 or 2, and are the polar parts of the surface tensions of components 1 or 2, respectively. The surface tension of PLA, TPU polymers and nanoclay is specified in Figure 12 according to the references 36, 45, 46.…”

Super-hydrophobic and super-oleophilic surface based on high-density polyethylene/waste ground rubber tire powder thermoplastic elastomer

“…It is reported that the increasing surface roughness could enhance the hydrophobicity because the air trapped between the solid surface and the droplet could minimize the contact area greatly. 29 Lin et al 30 have used sandpapers as a template to fabricate the super-hydrophobic surfaces while the atomic force microscopy data were used to estimate the average roughness; moreover, the super-hydrophobic mechanism of the prepared surfaces was proved to fit the Cassie model. In 1944, Cassie and Baxter 31 derived an equation to describe the wettability of heterogeneous surface, as shown below…”

Dual role of nanoclay in the improvement of the in-situ nanofibrillar morphology in polypropylene/polybutylene terephthalate nanocomposites

“…Consequently, there have been remarkable scientific and industrial interests in the modification of PP to improve its processability and promote other desirable properties 2,3 To address the main drawbacks of PP fibers, various techniques, among which the chemical modification of the fibers, 4 plasma processing, 5 blending with other polymers 6 and impregnation with nanostructured materials can be mentioned, have been applied. [7][8][9] The last two techniques seem more environmentally friendly, controllable and cost-effective, and therefore are generally accepted and vastly employed. 10,11 PP has low melt strength and has problems in the melt spinning process and foaming.…”