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Properties and nanoscale structure of polypropylene‐layered double hydroxide composites prepared by compatibilizer‐free way
Author(s) -
Araújo Rafael S.,
Grafova Iryna,
Marques Maria de Fátima Vieira,
Kemell Marianna,
Leskelä Markku,
Grafov Andriy
Publication year - 2013
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.39465
Subject(s) - polyolefin , materials science , polypropylene , composite material , nanocomposite , maleic anhydride , thermal stability , hydroxide , composite number , compatibilization , layered double hydroxides , polymer , polymer blend , chemical engineering , copolymer , layer (electronics) , engineering
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. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 2429–2438, 2013