Influence of Selectively Localised Nanoclay Particles on Non-Isothermal Crystallisation and Degradation Behaviour of PP/LDPE Blend Composites

Abstract

In immiscible polymer blend nanocomposites, nanoparticles can be localised either in polymer matrices or at the interface, invoking the simple question of how the spatial distribution of the nanoparticles and the resulting morphological changes affect the non-isothermal crystallisation and degradation kinetics. In this study, the non-isothermal crystallisation of polypropylene in polypropylene (PP)-rich compatibilised and non-compatibilised PP/low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/clay composites and their degradation are investigated. The non-isothermal crystallisation analyses show that the localisation of the clay particles in the blend composites has two opposing effects. First, the poorly dispersed clay particles at the PP/LDPE interface in the non-compatibilised blend composite has no significant effect on the crystallisation temperature of PP but allows the free movement of PP chains, resulting in a higher crystallinity of PP than that of PP in the neat blend. Second, the well-dispersed clay particles in the compatibilised blend composites disrupt the free movement of PP chains, resulting in a lower crystallisation temperature and crystallinity than that of PP in the neat blend. The influences of different selective localisations of clay particles on the activation energies of degradation are studied. The presence of maleated compatibilisers, clay, and the distribution of clay in the blend composite play important roles in determining the activation energies of degradation.

Recycling of Polypropylene/Polyethylene Blends: Effect of Chain Structure on the Crystallization Behaviors

“…Crystallization kinetics in such polymer blends are very complex in relation to the different crystallization behavior of the two components. These include the production of primary nuclei, formation and spreading of surface nuclei, and inter-diffusion of crystallizable and non-crystallizable chains at the advancing front of the growing crystal [16,17,18]. In general, depending on the nucleation, there are two types of crystallization: heterogeneous and homogeneous crystallization.…”

Dimensional impact of nanofillers on the micromorphology and rheology of PP/PS composites under continuous elongation flow

“…In the last decade, the number of publications relevant to the transformation of morphology in nanocomposite polymer blends has steadily increased. The studies on nanofillers are mainly concentrated in nanoclay, carbon black, nanoparticles, and nanotubes . Salzano de Luna et al reviewed and discussed that the nanofiller‐induced phenomena mainly included morphology refinement, coarsening, formation of irregularly shaped droplets, promotion of co‐continuity, and morphology stabilization.…”

Morphological characteristics and thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties of cellulose nanocrystals‐containing biodegradable poly(lactic acid)/poly(ε‐caprolactone) blend composites

“…The incorporation of CNC did not affect the T cc of PLA in the blends. Nanofillers such as CN usually act as nucleating agents and thus promote crystallization of polymers; however, in polymer blends, the localization of filler influences the crystallization of blend matrices as it has been shown elsewhere . In the current case, the assumption that can be made is that CN particles selectively localized in PCL phase; hence, and no changes were observed in cold crystallization of PLA.…”

“…Blending of polymer materials to attain systems with enhanced properties has been a feasible strategy to improve properties that individual polymers possess and thus widening their utilization in various applications . Polylactide/poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PLA/PCL) blend is a type of biodegradable blends that has received lots of attention because of the superior properties that the two polymers exhibit; in particular, both polymers are biodegradable—a property which makes them favorable for packaging and biomedical applications, and so forth .…”