Crystallization behaviors and mechanical performance of polypropylene/tetrapod-shaped zinc oxide whisker composites

摘要

Polypropylene (PP)/tetrapod-shaped zinc oxide whisker (T-ZnOw) composites are prepared via a melt-mixing method in combination with a Haake rheometer. Differential scanning calorimetery (DSC) is used to investigate the nonisothermal and isothermal crystallization behaviors of the composites. Crystalline morphology is observed using hot-stage optical microscopy, and the mechanical performance of the composites is investigated. Results indicate that T-ZnOw has no heterogeneous nucleation effect on PP; in fact, it retards the growth of the crystal. Filled T-ZnOw in PP matrix decreases the peak crystallization and melting temperatures of PP. T-ZnOw shows either a reinforcing or toughening effect on the PP matrix at very lower weight ratios. These effects, however, decline with increasing T-ZnOw contents because the size of the spherulitic crystals becomes bigger.