Abstract
The effect of benzoic acid (BA) surface modified alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) on the mechanical properties and crystallization behavior of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) nanocomposites was studied. Characterization of the modified Al2O3 NPs (BA-Al2O3) by FTIR and XRD analyses confirmed that benzoic acid molecules chemisorb on the surface of the NPs, forming benzene groups-rich microstructures. A considerable increase in the tensile strength, flexural modulus, and toughness was observed for the nanocomposites with only 0.2 wt% BA-Al2O3. Enhanced interfacial adhesion with the matrix was achieved, which enabled effective reinforcement of the nanocomposites. The higher crystallization temperature along with shorter crystallization halftime indicated the higher nucleation activity of BA-Al2O3. Furthermore, the interchain conformational ordering of iPP was significantly accelerated in the presence of the BA-Al2O3 NPs. The CH–π interaction between the polymer and BA-Al2O3 NPs was considered to facilitate the attachment of the iPP chains and stimulate conformational ordering, crystallization, as well as mechanical properties of nanocomposites.
Highlights
Isostatic polypropylene is one of the most widely used polymers for nanocomposite preparation due to its availability, ease of processing, and relatively low cost.[1,2,3] A range of nanoparticles (NPs), such as those of montmorillonite (MMT),[4] carbon nanotubes (CNTs),[5,6] graphene,[7,8] alumina,[9] and layered double hydroxides (LDH),[10,11] has been broadly studied as llers for nanocomposites
We investigated the effect of benzoic acid-modi ed Al2O3 NPs on the mechanical properties and crystallization behavior of Isostatic polypropylene (iPP) nanocomposites
PP nanocomposites with small amounts of benzoic acidfunctionalized Al2O3 NPs were prepared by melt-mixing and were found to have greatly enhanced mechanical properties and crystallization behaviors
Summary
Isostatic polypropylene (iPP) is one of the most widely used polymers for nanocomposite preparation due to its availability, ease of processing, and relatively low cost.[1,2,3] A range of nanoparticles (NPs), such as those of montmorillonite (MMT),[4] carbon nanotubes (CNTs),[5,6] graphene,[7,8] alumina,[9] and layered double hydroxides (LDH),[10,11] has been broadly studied as llers for nanocomposites. The surface properties of the Al2O3 NPs could be tuned by different carboxylic acids.[31,32] A few groups have reported the use of these acids as surface modi ers for advanced nanocomposites.[33,34] we investigated the effect of benzoic acid-modi ed Al2O3 NPs on the mechanical properties and crystallization behavior of iPP nanocomposites. We report the study of the mechanical properties and crystallization behavior of iPP/modi ed-Al2O3 nanocomposites. The Al2O3 NPs were modi ed with commercially available benzoic acid to tailor the surface chemistry of the NPs. Enhanced exural, tensile, and impact properties implied the strong interfacial interaction between the iPP matrix and functionalized Al2O3 NPs (BA-Al2O3). The CH–p interaction was considered to facilitate the crystallization behavior and mechanical properties of the iPP/BA-Al2O3 nanocomposites
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
