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Atomic force microscopy study on structure and properties of irradiation grafted silica particles in polypropylene‐based nanocomposites
Author(s) -
Zhang Ming Qiu,
Rong Min Zhi,
Zeng Han Min,
Schmitt Stefan,
Wetzel Bernd,
Friedrich Klaus
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.1325
Subject(s) - polypropylene , materials science , polymer , nanocomposite , grafting , composite material , nanoparticle , agglomerate , particle (ecology) , toughness , polymer chemistry , polymer nanocomposite , polymerization , polystyrene , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , oceanography , geology , engineering
Abstract Nanosilica particles treated by irradiation grafting polymerization can effectively improve the strength and toughness of a thermoplastic polymer at a rather low filler content. A detailed investigation on the modified nanoparticles in the absence and presence of a polypropylene matrix is carried out by using atomic force microscopy. The results indicate that the loosen agglomerates of the untreated SiO 2 became more compact due to the linkage between the nanoparticles offered by the grafting polymer. In addition, the molecules of the polypropylene matrix are able to diffuse into the modified nanoparticle agglomerates during the melt processing. Entanglement between the molecules of the grafting polymer and the matrix is thus available, which in turn facilitates a strong particle–matrix interfacial interaction. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 2218–2227, 2001