Two‐dimensional mullite nanostructure: Synthesis and reinforcement effect on polypropylene/maleic anhydride graft ethylene vinyl acetate matrix

Abstract

In the present work, we studied the reinforcement effect of mullite nanosheets (MNs) on the properties of polypropylene (PP)/maleic anhydride graft ethylene‐vinyl acetate (EVA‐g‐MA) blend matrix. MNs have been prepared in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as the macromolecular surfactant through the sol–gel process followed by a thermal annealing method. The sheet‐like morphology of mullite was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy analysis. The surface of the MNs was modified using 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane. One weight percent of amine‐functionalized MNs (AMNs) improved the impact strength of PP/EVA‐g‐MA blend matrix, which is about 52%. Melt rheology analysis resulted that the nanocomposite exhibited a viscous behavior up to 2.5 wt % of AMNs and above the content ensued a viscoelastic solid‐like behavior. X‐ray diffraction analysis showed a complete dispersion of AMNs in the PP/EVA‐g‐MA blend matrix. TEM analysis confirmed that the MNs sheets are residing mostly in EVA‐g‐MA phase and the interface of PP/EVA‐g‐MA blend. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 48233.

Polypropylene/phosphazene nanotube nanocomposites: Thermal, mechanical, and flame retardation studies

“…The optimal polymer-filler interfacial adhesion resulted in the formation of a filler network in the matrix, which acted as a physical barrier to effectively shield the polymer phase from thermal degradation. [19,40] The thermal degradation behavior of the composites in the air medium varied significantly as compared to the N 2 atmosphere, with the composites expectedly exhibiting lower thermal stability in air (Table 3). This observed effect is attributed to the oxygen molecules in air promoting the oxidation reaction, which triggers the scissions of the C C chain bonds, thus lead to a facile degradation.…”

“…[17] In this respect, the interfacial adhesion and degree of dispersion of the reinforcement in the polymer matrix are the key factors in determining the performance of the resultant polymer nanocomposites. [18][19][20][21] In addition, CNTs, [22,23] carbon nanofibers, [24] sepiolite, [25] and halloysite [26] have also been widely used to improve the flame retardancy of the PP nanocomposites. Recently, Jenifer et al [27] studied the synergetic effect of the glass fibers and halloysite tubes on the mechanical, thermal, and flame retardation properties of PP.…”

“…The aminefunctionalized nanofillers have been observed in a recent study to effectively improve the interfacial interaction with the PP matrix in the presence of maleic anhydride (MA) grafted copolymer. [19,40] Thus, the surface of PZS was modified with aminosilane, and the physicochemical properties of the resulting aminefunctionalized phosphazene nanotubes (APZS) were studied. Further, the effect of APZS on the crystallization, thermal stability, flame retardancy, and mechanical properties of PP was studied.…”

UV Aging Behavior of Functionalized Mullite Nanofiber-Reinforced Polypropylene

“…These materials offer superior mechanical, electrical, thermal, and gas barrier properties compared to pure polymer matrices due to nanoscale filler dispersion. 12 − 14 Among many polymers employed to generate polymer nanocomposites, a significant research effort has been devoted to the development of polypropylene (PP) composites to overcome its limitation of low impact resistance at low temperatures. 13 , 15 − 19 Mullite is one of the ceramic nanomaterials with its structure combining silica and alumina (3Al 2 O 3 /2SiO 2 ), and it is widely used in electronic, optical, and high-temperature structural applications.…”

“…13 , 15 − 19 Mullite is one of the ceramic nanomaterials with its structure combining silica and alumina (3Al 2 O 3 /2SiO 2 ), and it is widely used in electronic, optical, and high-temperature structural applications. 14 , 20 In addition, mullite can be used in packaging materials and memory devices. 21 , 22 Recently, mullite nanofibers (MNF) have been used as a nanofiller for the development of epoxy, unsaturated polyester resin, and polypropylene nanocomposites due to their high thermal stability, optimal oxygen resistance, and low dielectric constant.…”