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Morphology and Properties of Poly(propylene)/Ethylene‐Octene Copolymer Blends Containing Nanosilica
Author(s) -
Lee Sung Hyo,
Bailly Mathieu,
Kontopoulou Marianna
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
macromolecular materials and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1439-2054
pISSN - 1438-7492
DOI - 10.1002/mame.201100147
Subject(s) - materials science , copolymer , coalescence (physics) , octene , morphology (biology) , nanoparticle , ultimate tensile strength , ethylene , composite material , microstructure , phase (matter) , chemical engineering , tacticity , polymer , nanotechnology , catalysis , organic chemistry , polymerization , physics , chemistry , astrobiology , biology , engineering , genetics
The effect of nanosilica addition on the morphology and mechanical properties of blends of isotactic PP and an ethylene/octene copolymer (EOC) is studied. TEM reveals that the well‐dispersed nanoparticles are localized exclusively in the PP phase. In the presence of a maleated PP compatibilizer addition of nanosilica leads to more finely dispersed EOC domains and a finer co‐continuous morphology. The nanoparticles reduce the rate of coalescence of the dispersed phase domains. The mechanical properties depend on the EOC and PP ‐g‐ MA content. Tensile and flexural properties are significantly enhanced in the presence of the silica nanoparticles, whereas impact properties are not affected. These enhancements are attributed to the favorable microstructure of the blends.