Optimization of mechanical performance of compatibilized polypropylene/poly(ethylene terephthalate) blends via selective dispersion of halloysite nanotubes in the blend

Abstract

Many recycled plastics are the polypropylene (PP)/poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) blends with PET as the minor component. The modification of such kinds of PP/PET blends for higher performance is essential as PP and PET are not thermodynamically compatible. In this study, the elastomer, SEBS-g-MAH, and the inorganics, halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are chosen as the modifiers for the modification of a model PP/PET blend (90/10). The mechanical performance of such blend is optimized by the selective dispersion of the nanotubular HNTs into the interfacial region of the blends via a two-step process. Compared with the control one, the overall mechanical properties of the blend are substantially improved. The crystallization of PP in the blend is also facilitated by the selective dispersion of HNTs and the folding surface free energy is substantially increased. The substantially improved mechanical performance is interpreted according to the formation of the unique morphology. This study provides new insight in improving the performance of polymer blends via selectively dispersing the nanosized inorganics in the blend.

Inner surface modification of halloysite nanotubes and its influence on morphology and thermal properties of polystyrene/polyamide‐11 blends

“…HNTs modified with N ‐( β ‐aminoethyl)‐ γ ‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane were used to compatibilize a polyoxymethylene/polypropylene (PP) blend and a syndiotactic PS/liquid crystalline polymer blend . HNTs were also used with maleated styrene–ethylene/butylene–styrene to improve the performances of a PP/poly(ethylene terephthalate) blend . However, there are no reports about the use of inner‐surface‐functionalized halloysite in immiscible polymer blends.…”

Halloysite nanotubes as polyolefin fillers

“…Recently, Lin [69] confirmed that the addition of unmodified HNTs and compatibilizer (SEBS-g-MAmaleic anhydride grafted styrene -ethylene -butylene -styrene block copolymer) is an effective way to improve interfacial adhesion in PP/PET blends. However, HNTs were well dispersed only in the blend prepared as a two-step process, i.e.…”

“…Moreover, beside single polyolefin systems, HNTs are also used in blends of polyolefins with other polymers. Lin [69] stated that the formation of an unique morphology with encapsulation structure (Fig. 10) during two-step processing of PP/PET/SEBS-g-MAH/HNTs blend was crucial for substantial improvement of the mechanical performance of PP/PET blends.…”

The Use of Nanoclays to Modify the Morphology and Photoluminescence of Electrospun Poly(9-vinylcarbazole)/Poly[2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] Blend Fibers

“…1,2 In polymerblend systems, poor color stability could be caused by phase separation. A possible solution to this problem is the addition of nanometric particles which includes carbon nanotubes, 3 silica beads, 4,5 halloysite nanotubes 6 and organoclays. [7][8][9] The use of nanoparticles is a viable route for manipulating both the interfacial tension and the viscosity ratio of multiphase non-conjugated polymeric materials.…”