Properties and nanoscale structure of polypropylene‐layered double hydroxide composites prepared by compatibilizer‐free way

Abstract

Polypropylene (PP) is the second most widespread commodity polyolefin. Even a small quantity of inorganic component is sufficient to achieve significant improvement of stiffness, strength, thermal stability, biodegradability, etc. The major drawback of inorgano-organic composite materials is insufficient compatibility of the PP matrix with inorganic filler. A suitable choice of the layered double hydroxide-modifying anion opens a possibility to obtain PP-inorganic nanocomposites without a need to use compatibilizers like maleic anhydride grafted PP. The nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending in a twin-screw mini-extruder and characterized by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, and electron microscopy. Nonpolar PP matrix mix uniformly with clay organophilized with functionalized surfactant acids, giving rise to composites with improved thermo-mechanical properties. Influences of the anionic modifier and the filler content (2 or 5% w=w) on mechanical properties and nanoscale structure of the composites are discussed.As far as inorganic layered components are concerned, extensive deal of research was dedicated to natural clay minerals and their organophilic derivatives. 1,4,7,8 The main reasons of such interest were a low cost, relatively low layer charge density and hence, easy exfoliation of phillosilicate-based materials. 9 However, their