Thermal behavior of polyethylene terephthalate/organoclay nanocomposites: investigating copolymers as matrices

Abstract

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/clay nanocomposites have been widely studied. However, different PET copolymers are also produced in large scale but not commonly investigated as matrices for nanocomposites. In this work, PET‐based nanocomposites, with PET homopolymer and two PET copolymers as matrices, were prepared by melt blending with a commercial organoclay. The focus of this study was to investigate the thermal behavior of these materials by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis and to provide a satisfactory crystallization kinetic modeling. X‐ray diffraction analysis showed that the nanocomposites exhibited clay intercalation. The glass transition temperature and the thermal stability of the materials decreased with an increase in clay content. The presence of clay did not affect the degree of crystallinity developed by the materials, although it caused the anticipation and acceleration of the crystallization events. A discussion is made about the application of a modified Avrami model for non‐isothermal crystallization and its validity. The modified Avrami model has proven to be a good choice for the non‐isothermal crystallization kinetic modeling of these nanocomposites under various heating/cooling rates, being useful for simulations under processing conditions.

Toward understanding the crystallization behavior of polypropylene‐based nanocomposites: Effect of ethylene–octene copolymer and nanoclay localization

“…Generally, the effect of nanoclay loading on the crystallization rate is considered in two aspects: (i) nanoclay can act as a heterogeneous nucleation agent, increasing the nucleation rate, and hence, crystallization rate, and (ii) nanoclay can slow down the molecular mobility of the polymer chains due to the formation of new molecular interactions, generation of a 3D physical network, and its hindrance effects, thereby attenuating the crystal development and hence, the degree of crystallinity of the sample. 51,52 According to Figure 6A,B, unlike the 3 and 5 phr, the presence of 1 phr nanoclay in the neat PP and PP80/ EOC20 increases the crystallization rate (decreasing the τ 1/2 values, see Table S3). This can be caused by the nucleating effect of the nanoclay at 1 phr loading.…”

“…Figure 6A-C presents plots of relative crystallinity versus crystallization time for the neat PP, PP80/EOC20, PP50/ EOC50, and their nanocomposites at 125 C. The corresponding τ 1/2 and X c values are also summarized in TableS3. Generally, the effect of nanoclay loading on the crystallization rate is considered in two aspects: (i) nanoclay can act as a heterogeneous nucleation agent, increasing the nucleation rate, and hence, crystallization rate, and (ii) nanoclay can slow down the molecular mobility of the polymer chains due to the formation of new molecular interactions, generation of a 3D physical network, and its hindrance effects, thereby attenuating the crystal development and hence, the degree of crystallinity of the sample 51,52. …”

Effect of Acid Modification on Porous Structure and Adsorption Properties of Different Type Ukrainian Clays for Water Purification Technologies

“…Clay minerals are one of the most common, environmentally tolerant, highly dispersed natural materials that are widely used in various industries [Bergaya and Lagaly, 2013]. They are effectively used as fillers in polymer compositions to improve their mechanical characteristics [Arbelaiz et al, 2021], increase resistance to elevated temperatures [Lima et al, 2021], and adjust the composition structure in situ [Budash et al, 2022]. Due to the specific layered structure, large Effect of Acid Modification on Porous Structure and Adsorption Properties of Different Type Ukrainian Clays for Water Purification Technologies surface area of particles, porosity, presence of active centers, high cation exchange capacity, clays are also actively used in water purification technologies as adsorbents for the removal of dangerous chemical products of organic and inorganic origin [Uddin, 2017;Kausar et al, 2018].…”

Characterization of recycled and virgin polyethylene terephthalate composites reinforced with modified kenaf fibers for automotive application

“…[4] PET is among the most important engineering polymers for over three decades owing to rapid growth in its usage and is also the fourth most-produced industrial polymer globally. [7,8] PET is a semicrystalline thermoplastic polymer formed by polycondensation of terephthalic acid with ethylene glycol. [4,9] PET is a unique material for different applications, especially in the production of liquid container bottles (water and soft drink bottles), food packaging, windshield wiper arms, clothing fibers, truck liners, carpets, fiber filling for pillows from PET bottles, and fabrics for automobile seats due to its splendid properties including good impact and tensile strength, good chemical resistance, clarity, thermal stability, and transparency.…”