Isotactic Poly(propylene) Nanocomposites Based upon Boehmite Nanofillers

Abstract

The influence of boehmite crystallite sizes, varied between 10 and 60 nm, was studied with respect to the morphology development, crystallization behavior and mechanical properties of the boehmite‐based iPP nanocomposites. The nanometer‐scaled boehmites were formed during twin‐screw melt extrusion of iPP at 200 °C. Even in the absence of polymer compatibilizers, the boehmites, obtained from Sasol's process, enabled very effective deagglomeration and in‐situ dispersion of nanoboehmites. With increase in boehmite crystallite size it was possible to improve simultaneously stiffness and impact strength of iPP. As evidenced by means of DSC, POM and WAXS measurements, the deagglomerated nanoboehmites nucleated crystallization of poly(propylene)'s α‐modification.

Viscoelastic behaviour and fracture toughness of linear-low-density polyethylene reinforced with synthetic boehmite alumina nanoparticles

“…However, the crystallization peak temperature seems to approach a plateau for boehmite content as high as 4 wt%. The nucleating effect of boehmite was already reported in previous papers for polyethylenes [26] and poplypropylene [27], showing a different nucleating efficiency depending on the crystallite size of boehmite nanofiller. Concurrently, the melting temperature recorded during the second scan (T m2 ) is slightly higher for LLDPE nanocomposites, while the crystallinity ($ c ) does not seem to have a direct correlation with the nanofiller addition.…”

“…When considering LLDPE-boehmite nanocomposites, both T d,onset and T d,max markedly increase with the filler content, showing a slightly higher efficiency in LLDPE-D80 samples. Improved thermal and thermo-oxidative stability due to the addition of BA has been already reported for polyethylenes (PEs) [26] and polypropylene (PP) [27,28]. Nevertheless, future research is required in order to clarify the mechanism of improvement of thermal and thermo-oxidative stability in polyolefines by BA incorporation.…”

“…Their primary particle size is in the range of tens of nanometers. The recent interest for using BA fillers to produce thermoplastic nanocomposites is fuelled by the fact that they can be finely dispersed on nanoscale by both traditional and water-assisted melt compounding techniques [24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. The present work aims at investigating the effect of BA addition on the viscoelastic behaviour of LLDPE.…”

Thermal, viscoelastic and mechanical behavior of polypropylene with synthetic boehmite alumina nanoparticles

“…3 for PP and PP/BA40 nanocomposites. Improved thermal and thermooxidative stability due to the addition of BA has been already reported for PEs [19], PP [35,36] and linear low density polyethylene [37]. It was recently demonstrated on LDPE/BA nanocomposites that the improved resistance of the thermooxidative stability due to BA filling is exclusively of physical origin and linked with the barrier effect of the nanoparticles hampering the diffusion of the gaseous degradation products [38].…”

Nanofilled and/or toughened POM composites produced by water-mediated melt compounding: Structure and mechanical properties

“…One of the criteria for selecting this filler was that it is water dispersible and thus its nanoscale dispersion can be achieved also in aqueous polymer latex. On the other hand, it was reported that this boehmite alumina can be well dispersed by melt compounding without water as carrier, as well [14].…”