Photo-stability Of Rhodamine-b/montmorillonite Nanopigments In Polypropylene Matrix

摘要

A rhodamine-B based nanopigment was developed as a colorant for polypropylene products. The cationic dye rhodamine-B was intercalated into Na~+-montmorillonite (Cloisite Na~+) in an acidic medium. The dye-intercalated montmorillonite was centrifuged, dried and milled to prepare the nanopigment particles before mixing with polypropylene. X-ray diffraction studies on the intercalates showed an increase in the basal spacing, thus confirming intercalation of the dye molecules within the nanostructures of the interlayer spaces. Thermo-gravimetric investigations suggested improved thermal stability of the intercalated dye. UV-exposure tests on colored polypropyleneanopigment composites showed a significant improvement in the photo-stability compared to the polypropylene/dye samples.