Preparation and Thermal Properties of Modified Cu2O/Polypropylene (PP) Composite

Abstract

A uniform, monodispersed superfine cuprous oxide (Cu2O) sphere with a mean diameter of 850 nm has been synthesized by solution reduction. The study reported the synthesis and thermal properties of Cu2O/PP composites for the first time. The surface modification of the superfine Cu2O sphere was carried out by using a silane coupling agent KH-570. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) curve revealed that the Cu2O had been successfully modified by silane coupling agent KH570. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) shows that the modified Cu2O can be uniformly dispersed in the polypropylene (PP) matrix, because through surface modification, there are some active functional groups on its surface, such as the ester group, which improves its compatibility with the PP matrix. The thermal stability of Cu2O/PP composites was improved by adding a small amount of Cu2O (1 wt % of PP). Therefore, based on the potential bacteriostasis of cuprous oxide, the low cost of PP and the results of this study, it is predicted that Cu2O/PP composites can be used in infant preparation (such as milk bottles) with low cost and good thermal stability in the near future.

Antimicrobial Property of Polypropylene Composites and Functionalized Copper Nanoparticles

“…The effect produced by copper on the stability of the polymeric matrix of iPP is not clear, reports indicate that the stability is negatively and positively affected, generally the positive effects are observed when using NPs of large size (850 nm) and CuO NPs [ 28 ].…”

“…Yanying Jiang et al observed a rise of 3 °C in the T c of iPP/CuO composites. They attributed this increase to the low efficiency of CuONPs as nucleating agents [ 28 ]. The greater increase in T c observed in the iPP/CuNPs composites suggests that the CuNPs have a greater nucleating effect on the crystallization rate of iPP compared to CuONPs.…”

“…On the other hand, the compatibility of the composite components can influence too on the aggregation of metallic NPs inside the polymeric matrix. Some strategies applied to improve the CuNPs compatibility with the polymeric matrix consist of functionalization of the NPs and dispersion by physical methods such as ultrasound [ 28 ]. A highly feasible option contemplates the functionalization of the CuNPs with ligands that contain both polar and non-polar moieties in their chemical structure.…”

“…Yurong Wu. et al obtained by solution mixing composites formed by iPP and Cu 2 O NPs modified by silanes [ 28 ]. Ramazanov et al produced composites of iPP and functionalized CuNPs with sodium oleate through a solution mixing process [ 29 ].…”

PMMA-Grafted Calcium Sulfate Whiskers for Applications as Fillers in PVC

“…The dispersion of the fillers can be improved via surface modification of the inorganic particles by increasing the surface tension and roughness of the particles or changing their surface chemical properties to improve the adhesion between the particles and the matrix [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. For example, Yang et al [ 21 ] modified nanostructured calcium carbonate (nano-CaCO 3 ) with γ-(2,3-epoxypropyloxy)propyltrimethoxysilane (KH560), 3-(methacryloxy)propyltrimethoxysilane (KH570), or isopropyl dioleoyloxy(dioctyl phosphate acyloxy) titanate.…”