Effect of organoclay content on thermal stability properties of polypropylene/organoclay nanocomposites

Abstract

Nanocomposites composed of polypropylene (PP), organoclay, ethylene acrylic acid (EAA), and maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (PP- g-MA) were prepared using the melt mixing technique, and their thermal stability properties were investigated. PP- g-MA and EAA were used as compatibilizers in the nanocomposites. The effects of different concentrations of organoclay on the physical properties of nanocomposites were investigated. The kinetics of PP/organoclay nanocomposite degradation were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis, the activation energy of nanocomposite system was confirmed by the Kissinger method, and the performance of nanocomposites was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, ARES rheometer, and transmission electron microscopy. The test results show that the addition of organoclay can improve the thermal stability of PP/organoclay nanocomposites, and the activation energy is slightly improved; rheological analysis shows that as the organoclay is gradually added to the composite system; the fluidity of PP and the processing properties are improved. In addition, the mechanical properties were measured, and it was found that an appropriate organoclay content can effectively improve the mechanical properties of nanocomposites.