Probing Dynamic Mechanical Analysis and Atomic Force Microscopy of Polypropylene/Kaolin Nanocomposite

Abstract

The Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and Atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies were conducted and evaluated on polypropylene/kaolin (P/K) nanocomposite treated with maleic anhydride (MA) and dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as additives in an in- situ process. Two-roll mill was used in compounding of the nanocomposites while moulding were done by injection moulding machine. Investigation in to the effect of K and MA/DCP on the nanocomposites (NCs) indicates that interfacial interactions between PP and K as filler was eminent. DMA analysis reveals an increase in the storage modulus which was at maximum significantly in P/K NC with 3 wt% and decrease in damping factor tan δ also at P/K NC of 3 wt%. The AFM study indicates that there was uniform and smooth surface roughness among the NCs. Thus, addition of MA/DCP on to P/K NC improves the reinforcing influence on the nanocomposites for better improvement.

Archives of Metallurgy and Materials

“…this situation can be explained by the poor interaction between the matrix and filler, especially at 6 wt% of kaolin and kaolin geo-filler which reveals the presence of porous surface, resulting in a phase separation. Due to the hydrophilic nature of kaolin, whereas polypropylene exhibit hydrophobic character, there are challenges of incompatibility [18]. the polarity difference between polypropylene and kaolin has a negative influence on the performance and quality of polypropylene-based products.…”