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Isotactic polypropylene metal oxide and silica nanocomposites by a two‐step process comprising in situ olefin polymerization and melt compounding
Author(s) -
Käselau Sven,
Scheel Saskia,
Petersson Linnea,
Ho ChauHon,
Luinstra Gerrit A
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
polymer international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-0126
pISSN - 0959-8103
DOI - 10.1002/pi.5785
Subject(s) - materials science , nanocomposite , tacticity , nanoparticle , barium titanate , chemical engineering , polymer , polypropylene , composite material , in situ polymerization , polymer chemistry , polymerization , nanotechnology , ceramic , engineering
Nanocomposites of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) with 0.5 wt% filler of MgO@Mg(OH) 2 (35 nm) or silicon dioxide (20–60 nm) or barium titanate (50 nm) nanoparticles were obtained from melt compounding of filler masterbatches with commercial iPP. The masterbatches with 5 wt% nanofiller were prepared in an in situ polymerization procedure using a metallocene/methylaluminoxane (MAO) catalyst system that was supported on the respective oxides. The original agglomerates of the nanoparticles were broken up by treatment with dibutylmagnesium for MgO@Mg(OH) 2 , and with ultrasound in the presence of MAO for SiO 2 and BaTiO 3 . The tacticity (98% mmmm) of the in situ formed PP was not influenced by the presence of the nanofillers. Scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy mapping show a fine dispersion of single particles and small clouds or clusters. The primary nanoparticles appear to be surrounded by polymer. The elongation at break was decreased to 50, 17 and 9% for MgO@Mg(OH) 2 ), SiO 2 and BaTiO 3 , respectively. After melt compounding with iPP, a homogeneous single‐particle distribution of the oxidic nanoparticles was found in the resulting composites with 0.5 wt% filler content. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry