Graphene/montmorillonite hybrid nanocomposites based on polypropylene: Morphological, mechanical, and rheological properties

Abstract

The preparation and characterization of hybrid nanocomposites based on polypropylene (PP) with Moroccan montmorillonite (MMT)/graphene nanosheets (GNs) is reported in this article. In particular, hybrid nanocomposites were prepared by melt compounding for different MMT:GNs ratio for a total loading of 3 wt%. From the samples produced, nanofiller dispersion in the polymer was monitored by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to better understand the interactions between both nanofillers and the matrix. Then, tensile and torsion tests were performed to characterize the nanocomposites in the solid state, while rheological properties were obtained in the melt state to better understand the complete behavior of these hybrid nanocomposites. The results show that GNs is more effective than MMT at modifying the properties of these nanocomposites, but taking everything into account, a 50/50MMT/GNs ratio is optimum which represents a good balance between strength, ductility, and rigidity under the conditions tested. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:2046–2053, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers