Investigating the Effect of Nanoclay Loadings and Re-Processing on the Melting and Crystallization Behavior of PP/Clay Nanocomposites

Abstract

In this study, PP/clay nanocomposites have been fabricated at different nanoclay loadings, i.e. 0, 5, 10, and 5 wt% for the 1stcycle and 2ndcycle (re-processing). The prepared nanocomposites were then characterized by a Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) to investigate the effects of nanoclay loadings and re-processing on the melting and crystallization of the nanocomposites. The DSC results showed that the melting temperature,Tmwas not significantly affected by the nanoclay loadings and re-processing. In the other hand, the degree of crystallinity,Xcof the nanocomposites was higher than that of neat PP, but only reached a maximum at nanoclay loading of 5 wt% (i.e. 51.2% for NC-5-I and 48.3% for NC-5-II). Thereafter, theXcdecreased at higher nanoclay loadings. There was no significant difference inXcbetween 1stcycle and 2ndcycle. Additionally, in all nanocomposites samples for both cycles, there were two crystallization temperatures, i.e.Tc1andTc2. In the overall crystallization process, theTcof nanocomposites increased by 11-12°C compared to that of neat PP. Whereas, the onset crystallization temperature,Tocalso increased by approx. 13°C. Apparently, there was no significant effect of nanoclay loadings and re-processing on theTcndTocof the nanocomposites.