Influences of Layered Silicate Modification and Compatibilizers on the Properties of Polypropylene Nanocomposites

Abstract

In this study, polypropylene (PP) organo-layered silicate nanocomposites based on organo-muscovite (OM) were fabricated using co-rotating twin-screw extruder. Polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride (PPMA) and potassium succinate modified polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride (PPKS) were used as a compatibilizer in the nanocomposite system. The influences of layered silicate modification and compatibilizers on the morphological, mechanical, thermal and rheological features of PP/PPMA/OM and PP/PPKS/OM nanocomposites were examined. TEM micrographs were made which showed that OM was intercalated with the availability of PPMA or PPKS and could be partially exfoliated during mixing. Improved distribution and exfoliation of OM was performed with PPKS instead of PPMA. It has been observed that PP/PPKS/OM nanocomposites possess better overall mechanical features than PP/PPMA/OM nanocomposites. This was because partially as well as the scanning electron micrographs (SEM) was supposed to be the adherence provided by the compatibilization effect of PPKS than the PPMA displayed. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) evaluation alludes a rise in melting temperature, crystallization temperature, and crystallinity. Furthermore, the inclusion of PPKS or PPMA with OM improves the rheological behaviors of nanocomposites.