Nano lamellar zirconium phosphate and screw speed changing properties of melt extrusion polypropylene nanocomposites

Abstract

Tetravalent metal phosphates find application mainly as a catalyst and ionic exchangers besides structural and some other properties. In this study, pristine zirconium phosphate (ZrP) and chemically modified with Jeffamine™ (variable amine:phosphate ratio) were used as fillers to yield polypropylene nanocomposites by melt extrusion. Additionally, two different screw speeds (60 and 120 rpm) were carried out. Structural, crystallographic, thermal, dynamic-mechanical, and relaxometry properties were assessed. The morphology was also noticed. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction revealed that high speed and chemical modified ZrP led to the mixing of intercalated and exfoliated microstructures. Screw speed (60 rpm) and zirconium phosphate promoted a slight increase of thermal stability. Crystallization temperature and crystallinity degree were strongly influenced by screw speed and zirconium phosphate. Hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance in the time domain endorsed the existence of polymer/filler interaction. Both screw speed and zirconium phosphate induced changes in glass transition temperature and moduli (storage and loss). Scanning electron microscopy images corroborated the polymer/filler interaction due to the low level of micro void and filler detachment. Crystallographic, thermal, calorimetric, relaxometry and morphologic evaluations endorsed the better effect of high screw speed and good interaction between polypropylene and phosphate.