Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene Polymer Nanocomposites Infused with Sonochemically Coated SiC/SiO2 Nanoparticles

Abstract

This chapter describes the coating of silicon carbide nanoparticles on different types of silicon dioxide that varied in size and shape using sonochemical method. These composite particles were further infused into polypropylene polymer to increase its thermal and mechanical properties for various applications. A two-step process was used to fabricate SiC/SiO2/polypropylene nanocomposites. In the first step, SiC nanoparticles were coated onto four different types of SiO2 nanoparticles. The coated nanoparticles were then characterized using a high resolution transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) determined the morphology and crystalline structure, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). These results showed that the nanoparticles were crystalline, spherical in shape, and were uniformly coated. In the second step, nanocomposite samples were extruded using a Wayne Yellow Label Top single screw extruder. The as prepared nanocomposite samples were then characterized for their thermal and mechanical properties. These properties show increase in their flexural strength and thermal degradation. These results show increase in mechanical properties. The importance of this work lies in the simple sonochemical synthesis of SiC/SiO2 hybrid nanomaterials and their filler applications in polypropylene polymer nanocomposites which are widely used for various application including automotive and electronic industries.