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Nanostructured polyolefins/clay composites: role of the molecular interaction at the interface
Author(s) -
Passaglia Elisa,
Bertoldo Monica,
Coiai Serena,
Augier Sylvain,
Savi Stefania,
Ciardelli Francesco
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
polymers for advanced technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.61
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1581
pISSN - 1042-7147
DOI - 10.1002/pat.1107
Subject(s) - materials science , nanocomposite , maleic anhydride , surface modification , dispersion (optics) , composite material , polymer , copolymer , phase (matter) , glass transition , solubility , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , chemistry , physics , optics , engineering
The extent of interphase interactions between polymer phase and inorganic particles is the driving force addressing the preparation/properties design in the field of the corresponding micro‐ and nanocomposites. In the case of preparation of nanocomposites based on polyolefins (POs) and inorganic compounds as potentially nanodispersed phase, the use of a PO with proper functional groups is necessary for the interface adhesion and stabilization of the nanostructured morphology. According to this approach, ethylene/propylene copolymers with a different propylene content were used for the preparation of nanocomposites through melt mixing with organophilic montmorillonites (OMMT). By taking into account the important role of functionalities grafted onto POs, two different synthetic approaches were compared here: (1) the dispersion of the inorganic filler was obtained by using previously functionalized POs bearing carboxylate groups as matrices; (2) the nanocomposites were prepared by performing contemporaneously the functionalization of POs (by using maleic anhydride (MAH) and/or diethyl maleate (DEM)) and the dispersion of the filler in a one‐step process. The morphology of the nanocomposites as well as the variation of solubility and glass transition temperature ( T g ) of the PO matrix were evaluated and tentatively discussed with reference to functionalization degrees, structure of PO, and preparation procedure. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.