Macromol. React. Eng. 2/2008

Abstract

Cover: Photo‐ and thermal stabilities of poly(propylene) (PP)/SiO2 nanocomposites with various sizes of the SiO2 nanoparticles were studied. The cover picture points out that both, decreasing the particle size of SiO2 and lowering the quenching temperature in making the sample films improved the stability of the nanocomposites. The results strongly suggested that smaller spherulite sizes lead to higher stability of the nanocomposites. Further details can be found in the article by K.‐I. Sumino, T. Taniike, M. Terano,* and G. A. George on page 135.

Photoantioxidant versus photodegradant: Action of nanoparticle inorganic fillers in outdoor aging of PP

“…Several studies have reported the effects of fillers on the aging behavior of PP from different perspectives. Sumino et al [ 24 ] found that small SiO 2 nanoparticles improve the thermal and photooxidative stability of PP nanocomposites by reducing the spherulite size. Wang et al [ 25 ] found that the addition of CaCO 3 nanoparticles significantly reduces the thermal oxidative stability of PP.…”