Effects of Soluble Cerous Compound as a Surface Modifier on the Properties of Isotactic Polypropylene/Hollow Glass Beads Composites

Abstract

Cerous trinitrate hexahydrate was used as a surface modifier to treat hollow glass beads via a process of chemical deposition, and its effects on the strength, rheological, optical, and thermal properties of isotactic polypropylene/hollow glass beads(iPP/HGB) composites were assessed. The strength test results showed that the tensile strength and impact strength of iPP/HGB composites were obviously improved when HGB were modified, the optimum weight concentration of this modifier was 1.2 wt%. Moreover, dynamic rheological measurements showed that the complex viscosity and storage and loss moduli of the iPP/HGB composites were also increased when the HGB were treated. Additionally, the influences of this modifier on the structure and thermal properties, including the crystallizing and melting behaviors, of the composites were studied by means of X-ray diffraction, polarized optical microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The results showed that the modifier had a nucleating effect on the matrix and promoted the formation of β-crystals of isotactic polypropylene.