Preparation and Properties of Polypropylene/Clay Nanocomposites using an Organoclay Modified through Solid State Method

Abstract

In this article, the organically modified clay (organoclay) was prepared by treating Na-montmorillonite with alkylammonium ions through a solid state method. Polypropylene (PP)/organoclay nanocomposites were prepared by melt intercalation. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Election Microscopy (TEM) indicated that PP chains could intercalate into the gallery of organically modified clay to form the exfoliated PP/organoclay nanocomposites. The crystallization peak temperature of PP/organoclay nanocomposites was higher than that of neat PP by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). According to XRD, the addition of organoclay did not change the crystal structure of PP. Thermalgravimetric analysis showed that the thermal decomposition temperature of PP/organoclay nanocomposite was higher than that of PP. A mechanical properties test indicated that the impact strength of PP/organoclay nanocomposites were better than that of neat PP when the organoclay content was below 7wt%.