Effect of Clay Modification and Preparation Method on Crystalline Structure of Isotactic Polypropylene/Organoclay Nanocomposites

摘要

Isotactic polypropylene (PP)/organoclay (OC) nanocomposites was prepared in two different ways, specifically melt and solution. Getting organoclay, cationic surfactant, cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) may use to modify Khulays clay (Saudi Arabia) once covering by Na+ ions. To establish correspondence between the preparation method and the degree of intercalation/exfoliation of organoclay in polypropylene matrix, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) screening were performed. The result revealed that the prepared PP/OC nanocomposites by melt method have the most extensive dispersion of organoclay particles and the highest level of exfoliation comparing to that prepared by solution method. Also the crystallinity (Xc) degree of PP/OC nanocomposites at dissimilar organoclay content (1,5 and 10 wt. %) was calculated regarding XRD result. All nanocomposites Xc was higher than that of neat polypropylene. In addition, crystalline structure of PP/OC nanocomposites which prepared by solution method showed absolutely dissimilar comparing to those prepared by melting method.