Polypropylene/Clay Nanocomposites Prepared by Reactive Compounding with An Epoxy-Based Masterbatch

摘要

In our previous study, highly exfoliated epoxy/clay nano-composites were successfully prepared by a “slurry compounding” process. It is anticipated that a masterbatch based on epoxy/clay system can be incorporated into different polymer matrix to prepare corresponding polymer/clay nanocomposites. In this study, we attempt to prepare polypropylene/clay nanocomposites according to the concept. As epoxy and PP are incompatible, addition of a functional polymer that is miscible with PP and reactive for epoxy will improve the compatibility. Commercial available MAPP is an ideal choice because it is miscible with PP and its anhydride groups are ready to react with epoxy. Note that different from the general usage as compatibilizer to facilitate clay’s dispersion, MAPP is also anticipated to act as a crosslinking agent of epoxy inclusive in the masterbatch during high temperature compounding as well. After reactive compounding, the MAPP-co-epoxy copolymer is desired to form, anchor at interface and serve as compatibilizers. It was expected that reactive compounding would help to minimize the adverse effect from low molecular weight components on the performance of final product.