POLYPROPYLENE/CLAY NANOCOMPOSITES: SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION

Abstract

abstract Polypropylene nanocomposites were synthesized by using the method of mixing in the molten state. Nanocomposites were obtained in twin-screw co-rotating extruders and the nanocomposites were prepared with percentage of nanoclay (C 2 ) from 5 wt-%, with and without compatibilizer agent (PP- g -MA).The thermal (DSC, TGA), morphology (XRD, TEM), and dynamical mechanical (DMA) properties of the nanocomposites were characterized.All nanocomposites prepared are in intercalated state as corroborated by XRD and TEM. The Tm and Xc were not affected by the presence of clay, PP-g-MA, or processing support. The incorporation of clay and compatibilizer agent increases the thermal stability and heat deflection temperature (HDT). Keywords : Nanocomposites, polypropylene, clays. compatiblizer agent 1. introdUction Polypropylene is a polymer widely used in many applications, and their thermal (1-2), rheological (3), mechanical (4-5), and gas permeation properties (6-7) need to be improved. A large number of studies have focused to improve a range of capabilities for these materials used in the automotive industries, and which show a great potential for use in the aeronautical field (7). The study of polymer nanocomposites has focused on enhancing the conventional properties of this polymeric material (8),