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Nanocomposites of silica reinforced polypropylene: Correlation between morphology and properties
Author(s) -
Bouaziz Amira,
Jaziri Mohamed,
Dalmas Florent,
Massardier Valerie
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.23768
Subject(s) - materials science , polypropylene , nanocomposite , composite material , fumed silica , dynamic mechanical analysis , maleic anhydride , precipitated silica , hydrophobic silica , nanoparticle , nucleation , copolymer , polymer , nanotechnology , chemistry , natural rubber , organic chemistry
Polypropylene/fumed hydrophilic silica nanocomposites were prepared via melt mixing method using a single‐screw extruder. Comparative study with and without compatibilizing copolymer agent (maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene: PP‐ g ‐AM) was conducted. The obtained results were interpreted in terms of silica nanoparticle–silica nanoparticle and silica nanoparticle‐polymer interactions. These results have shown that the addition of nanofillers improves the properties of the nanocomposites. From transmission electron microscopy, it was found that agglomerations of silica particles into the PP matrix increased in average size with increasing silica contents, except in presence of the copolymer. Storage modulus values of the nanocomposites measured by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis were sensitive to the microstructure of the nanocomposites. Higher silica contents resulted in higher storage modulus, revealing that the material became stiffer. By adding the compatibilizer, a further increase of storage modulus was observed due to the finer dispersion of the filler in the matrix and the increased interfacial adhesion. Crystallization rates were found to increase with the increase of silica nanoparticles as well as PP‐ g ‐MA content. In addition, silica nanoparticles and the compatibilizing agent present centers of germination and nucleation of crystallites. Thus, the use of the coupling agent resulted in a further enhancement of mechanical properties of the nanocomposites due to the reduction of silica agglomeration. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:2187–2196, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers