Abstract
The morphology development in polypropylene − nanoclay composites with different weight percentages of nanoclay additives was studied using a combination of wide-angle X-ray diffraction, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), polarized optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. SAXS studies showed an increase in long period with increase in additive weight percentage. Thermal analysis showed that even if the clay platelets are not completely exfoliated they can act as effective nucleating agents. Studies indicated that the ultimate morphology formation is influenced by both the thermodynamics of mixing and crystallization and spherulite formation. During spherulite growth, unenclosed clay platelets were excluded at the spherulite boundaries. From the observed results, a schematic model of morphology formation in polypropylene − nanoclay composites is proposed. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
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