Spinning and Characterization of Silica/Polypropylene Nanocomposite Fibers

Abstract

The preparation of nanocomposite resins by solution (toluene) mixing was conducted, aiming at disaggregating silica agglomerates down into primary nanoparticles. The obtained nanocomposite resin was spun into monofilament fibers using ThermoHaake® single screw extruder. The characterizations including morphological analyses (SEM and AFM) and crystallization profile (DSC). AFM images revealed that silica particles having nanoscale sizes were evenly distributed on the surface. The presence of silica nanoparticles resulted at higher crystallization temperature (Tc) of the nanocomposite fiber when compared to those of neat fiber. As a result, the shrinkage resistance of the nanocomposite fibers was significantly improved due to an effective reinforcement. The surface hydrophobicity of the nanocomposite fibers was found higher than neat fiber due to an increase in surface roughness arising from the presence of nanoparticles on the surface.