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Novel hybrid of clay, cellulose, and thermoplastics. I. Preparation and characterization of composites of ethylene–propylene copolymer
Author(s) -
Pratheep Kumar Annamalai,
Pal Singh Raj
Publication year - 2007
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.25659
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , cellulose , thermogravimetric analysis , copolymer , differential scanning calorimetry , nanocomposite , ultimate tensile strength , microcrystalline cellulose , absorption of water , thermoplastic , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , thermoplastic elastomer , polymer , chemical engineering , engineering , thermodynamics , physics
The present study is aimed to prepare hybrid materials by incorporating layered silicates and microcrystalline cellulose into thermoplastic polymer. Using ethylene–propylene (EP) copolymer as thermoplastic polymer matrix and maleated EP (MEP) copolymer as compatibilizer, three types of composites were prepared by (i) melt mixing of cellulose with thermoplastics [I], (ii) melt mixing of clay with thermoplastics [II], and (iii) melt mixing of cellulose with the thermoplastic clay nanocomposites [III]. They were characterized by X‐ray diffractometry (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Instron was used to measure the mechanical properties. The composites [II] and [III] that contain layered silicates were intercalated nanocomposites as confirmed by XRD and transmission electron microscopy. The improvement in tensile properties was observed in cellulose–fiber‐reinforced composites with increasing cellulose content. In nanocomposites [II] and [III], the tensile modulus was improved. The resistance of the cellulose composites [I] for water absorption decreased with increasing content of cellulose fibers. The incorporation of layered silicates reduced the water absorption of cellulose composites. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 2672–2682, 2007