Influence of silane coupling agent on the synthesis and properties of nanocomposites obtained via in situ catalytic copolymerization of ethylene and propylene in the presence of modified Nafen™ Al2O3 nanofibers

Abstract

Nanofibers of Al2O3 (commercial product Nafen™), which were modified by various silane coupling agents have been used to create hybrid materials based on copolymer of ethylene and propylene. Nanocomposites were obtained by in situ catalytic copolymerization on the rac-Et(2-MeInd)2ZrMe2/isobutylalumoxane system. Trialkoxysilanes with alkenyl (vinyl and octenyl) and alkyl (octyl) functional groups were used for modification. CP MAS NMR analysis (13C and 29Si) of all modified nanoparticles showed the absence of residual alkoxy groups and allowed to identify the type of formed siloxane groups (mainly T2, T3). EDX analysis of trimethoxyalkenylsilanes modified nanoparticles showed significant contribution of self-condensation reactions, otherwise, in the case of triethoxyoctylsilane condensation with surface AlOH groups prevailed. It is found that octylsilane modification leads to remarkable improvement of mechanical properties (tensile strength - approx. 150%, elongation at break - approx. 50% with regard to neat copolymer) at low nanofiller dosage (0.63 wt %), significantly exceeding those for the materials with alkenylsilane treated nanofibers. In the case of octenylsilane even major decline in mechanical performance was observed. We believe that this behavior is determined by the distribution of nanofiller in the polymer matrix, which is markedly different for different surface treatments. TEM observations show that octylsilane modification leads to efficient dispersion of Nafen in polymer matrix, while the use of alkenylsilanes leads to partial or significant aggregation of Nafen particles.