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Morphology, rheology and mechanical properties of polypropylene/ethylene-octene copolymer/clay nanocomposites: Effects of the compatibilizer

Bagheri Kazemabad, S ; Sharif University of Technology | 2012

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  1. Type of Document: Article
  2. DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2012.06.007
  3. Publisher: Elsevier , 2012
  4. Abstract:
  5. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of two compatibilizers, namely maleated polypropylene (PP-g-MA) and maleic anhydride grafted poly (ethylene-co-octene) (EOC-g-MA), on the morphology and thus properties of ternary nanocomposites of polypropylene (PP)/ethylene-octene copolymer (EOC)/clay nanocomposite. In this regard the nanocomposites and their neat polymer blend counterparts were processed twice using a twin screw extruder. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were utilized to characterize nanostructure and microstructure besides mechanical and rheological behaviors of the nanocomposites. Clay with intercalated structure was observed in EOC phase of the PP/EOC/clay nanocomposite. Better dispersion state of the intercalated clay in EOC phase was observed by adding EOC-g-MA as a compatibilizer. On the other hand, adding PP-g-MA resulted in migration of the intercalated clay from the EOC to the PP and to the interface regions. It was also demonstrated that the elastomer particles became smaller in size where clay was present. The finest and the most uniform morphology was found in the PP/EOC/clay nanocomposite. In addition, the rheological results illustrated a higher complex viscosity and storage modulus for PP/EOC/PP-g-MA/clay nanocomposite in which clay particles were present in the matrix. Mechanical assessments showed improvements in the toughness of the nanocomposites with respect to their neat blends, without significant change in stiffness and tensile strength values. These results highlight a toughening role of clay in the polymer blend nanocomposites studied
  6. Keywords:
  7. A. Nanoclays ; A. Nanocomposites ; B. Mechanical properties ; Clay particles ; Complex viscosity ; Dispersion state ; Elastomer particles ; Energy dispersive X ray spectroscopy ; Intercalated structures ; Interface regions ; Maleated polypropylenes ; Nano clays ; Polyethylene-co-octene ; Rheological behaviors ; Ternary nanocomposites ; Twin screw extruders ; Compatibilizers ; Copolymers ; Ethylene ; Maleic anhydride ; Mechanical properties ; Morphology ; Polypropylenes ; Rheology ; Scanning electron microscopy ; Transmission electron microscopy ; X ray diffraction ; X ray spectroscopy ; Nanocomposites
  8. Source: Composites Science and Technology ; Volume 72, Issue 14 , 2012 , Pages 1697-1704 ; 02663538 (ISSN)
  9. URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026635381200231X