The Influence of Nano CaCO3 on Nucleation and Interface of PP Nano Composite: Matrix Processability and Impact Resistance

Abstract

Polypropylene (PP) is a commodity material that has been increasingly used in different industries in the past two decades due to its versatile properties when enhanced with additives. Homo polypropylene, in general, has weak mechanical properties and limited chemical resistance; thus, using a different type of fillers to adjust such properties to fit the required applications opened a large market for this commodity. Understanding the interface constituent between the polymer matrix and the added filler and the nucleation behavior is a key to fine control of the enhancement of PP properties. In this study, PP was incorporated with nano calcium carbonate (CaCO3) at 2 and 5 wt% in the presence of maleic anhydride (MAH) to overcome the weak interface due to low polymer polarity. The mix was compounded in a twin screws extruder at a temperature range of 180–200 °C ; then, the prepared samples were left to dry for 24 h at 25 °C. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) was used to study the interface adhesion of the nanofiller and the curved revealed that at 2% of nano CaCO3 PP structure remained the same and the nano experienced good adhesion to the polymer matrix. The mechanical impact resistance results showed a real enhancement to the polymer matrix of the nanocomposite by 37%. Moreover, DSC results showed a faster crystallinity rate due to the nanofiller acting as a nucleating agent and rheology tests indicated that low content of nano additive (2%) has better processability behavior, with suitable viscosity complex values at high frequencies.

Layer-by-Layer Fabrication of PAH/PAMAM/Nano-CaCO3 Composite Films and Characterization for Enhanced Biocompatibility

“…According to FT-IR ( Figure 5(b) ), all cross-linked samples of PAH/PAMAM7.5-CaCO 3 on a glass quartz substrate have the main peaks at 1444 cm −1 ( v 3) and 879 cm −1 ( v 2), which are characteristic absorptions of calcite, while the symmetric stretches of 1088 cm −1 ( v 1) and 743 cm −1 ( v 4) are characteristic absorptions of vaterite assigned to carbonates (CO 3 2- ) from calcium carbonate crystals. Similar findings have previously been observed for calcium carbonate crystals [ 27 , 33 , 34 ]. The stretching vibrations of C-H groups in the PAH/PAMAM multilayers cause the distinctive peaks to shift.…”

“…In the mid-FT-IR spectrum (examined from 4000-500 cm −1 ), the absorption bands of amorphous calcium carbonate (carbonate ion) can be split into four regions: ) from calcium carbonate crystals. Similar findings have previously been observed for calcium carbonate crystals [27,33,34]. e stretching vibrations of C-H groups in the PAH/PAMAM multilayers cause the distinctive peaks to shift.…”

“…In recent years, the biocompatibility and biodegradability of CaCO 3 in pharmaceutical and biological applications have been extensively studied [21,22]. Several studies have enhanced the mechanical properties of polymeric/nano-CaCO 3 [23][24][25][26][27], with the underlying variables being the film architecture and fabrication methods employed.…”

The strength of particulate polymer composite: A new insight on crystallinity and structural morphology

“…The abrupt reduction in nanocomposite crystallinity highlights the ease with which nanofillers occupy the HDPE phase, attributed to their higher specific surface area compared to microfillers. 38 This shift is driven by factors such as changes in catalytic activity, adhesion, and chemical reactivity of nanoparticles, influenced by the large surface-to-volume ratio at the nanoscale. 39 Moreover, the quantization of energy, electromagnetic forces, and molecular motion also became active at the nanoscale range.…”

Effect of tetrasilanolphenyl silsesquioxane on properties of sorbitol derivative-nucleated polypropylene cast films

“…It can crystallize by creating different crystalline forms, namely monoclinic ( α ), hexagonal ( β ), orthorhombic ( γ ), and in the case of very high super-cooling – the mesomorphic (smectic) phase [4, 5]. Most inorganic fillers such as talc, calcium carbonate, or silicates increase the degree of iPP crystallinity [6-8]. Their introduction into the polymer matrix causes the formation of additional active nucleation centres and an acceleration of the spherulite growing rate.…”