Characterization of polypropylene/polystyrene boehmite alumina nanocomposites: Impact of filler surface modification on the mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties

Abstract

The influences of surface treatment and the concentration of boehmite alumina (BA) particles on polypropylene and polystyrene (PS) (80/20) blends produced via melt compounding were examined. The results show that p‐toluene sulfonic acid‐treated BA particles yielded the highest stiffness improvement (27.5%), followed by untreated particles (25.7%), and dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid‐treated BA particles (8.5%). Transmission electron microscopy revealed that p‐toluene sulfonic acid‐treated BA particle agglomerates were dispersed in the PS phase, whereas untreated particles formed agglomerations at the interfaces. Dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid‐treated particles were poorly dispersed in both matrices. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that both untreated and p‐toluene sulfonic acid‐treated BA particles acted as nucleating agents in the blend because of the shifting of crystallization peaks to higher temperatures by 12 and 8 °C, respectively. A significant increase in decomposition temperatures occurred upon 7 wt % loading of all types of BA particles into the blend. Heat deflection temperature measurements showed that all types of BA particles improved the thermal properties of the blend. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46376.

Dynamic tensile and shear storage moduli of PEG/silica‐polymorph composites

“…As a result of previous research, there has been a fast growth in the production of ceramic‐based polymer matrix composites. Examples of such composites are SiO 2 ‐poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)‐3‐isocyanate‐propyltrietoxysilane, silica–polymer system, poly(vinyl alcohol)–Fe 3 O 4, and Al 2 O 3 –polymer matrix . However, the above applications imperatively require a thorough knowledge of how external forces and temperature affect the behavior of the composites.…”

Interfacial strengthening of polypropylene composites via bimodal porosity in Rice husk ash: Comparison with calcium carbonate reinforcement

“…The fillers that have been widely used for reinforcement purpose are organic fillers, ZnO, kaolin, CaCO 3 (CC), rice husk ash (RHA), etc. CC is one of the most commonly used inorganic fillers in thermoplastics such as poly(vinyl chloride) and PP .…”

Flow Characteristics, Mechanical, Thermal, and Thermomechanical Properties, and 3D Printability of Biodegradable Polylactide Containing Boehmite at Different Loadings

“…Generally, there are ways of improving the properties of PLA, including the addition of fillers or blending with other polymers [3,[7][8][9][10]. For instance, Nieddu et al [11] reported that 5 wt.% nanoclay increased the modulus of neat PLA.…”

“…For instance, Nieddu et al [11] reported that 5 wt.% nanoclay increased the modulus of neat PLA. Other fillers, such as nano-silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) [12] and boehmite (BA) [10], have been found to improve the thermal stability, crystallizability, and mechanical and electrical conductivity of the polymers. Amongst these, BA has attracted more research interest due to its low cost, high flammability, high surface area, noble dispensability, and thermal stability [10,13].…”

“…Other fillers, such as nano-silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) [12] and boehmite (BA) [10], have been found to improve the thermal stability, crystallizability, and mechanical and electrical conductivity of the polymers. Amongst these, BA has attracted more research interest due to its low cost, high flammability, high surface area, noble dispensability, and thermal stability [10,13]. Moreover, BA particles in nanometric form have greater reactivity than in micrometric form, owing to the increase of their surface area in nanometric dimensions [2].…”