Blends of polypropylene (PP) and natural rubber (NR) with different loadings (1, 3, 5, and 7 wt%) of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are prepared by melt blending process. Influence of MWCNT concentration and blend ratio on the surface energy characteristics and wetting behavior of PP/NR/MWCNT nanocomposites are investigated using contact angle measurements with water and dimethyl sulfoxide. The surface energy, work of adhesion, spreading coefficient, interfacial energy, and interaction parameter are measured for all composites. It is understood that contact angle value of nanocomposites increases with the increasing MWCNT content and is attributed to the increase in hydrophobic nature of blends due to the presence of hydrophobic MWCNTs. Similar trend of variation of contact angle is found for nanocomposites with different blend ratio. The study also reveals that contact angle and wetting property of the nanocomposite increases with increase in the surface roughness of the sample. Results of contact angle studies show good agreement with the morphology of nanocomposites obtained by atomic force microscopy techniques.
Microporous polypropylene (PP) nanocomposite membranes are in great demand in various fields such as energy harvesting, water purification, and other industrial applications. Thin films of PP/natural rubber (NR) blend nanocomposite have been prepared by melt mixing and the membranes are made porous by extracting the NR phase from the blend. The present study gives a better insight into the nanoparticle shape and localization‐tailored porous morphology of PP membrane. Thermodynamic prediction of nanofiller localization and its impact on morphology were studied. 2D clay platelets in PP matrix tune the morphology of the porous membrane into lamellar, whereas spherical nanofillers give elongated spherical pores. The localization of nanoparticles was observed using transmission electron microscope, which is also confirmed from theoretical prediction of localization of nanofillers with the help of interfacial energy and surface tension. Thermal studies reveal that nanofillers enhance the thermal stability of polymers. Mechanical studies reveal that nanoparticles improve the mechanical properties of the system. 2D platelet shaped‐nanofillers enhance the mechanical strength of the polymer up to 39%, which is higher than that obtained for 3D spherical nanofillers. Nanofiller shape and localization have a great influence in deciding the properties and porosity of the membrane.
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