All-polymer nanocomposites: A new approach with use of partially disentangled polypropylene and polylactide

The entanglements of macromolecules are responsible for mechanical and rheological behavior, crystallization and possibilities of processing. The density of entanglements may be reduced by solidification of polymer from diluted solution. Recently, we effectively disentangled polypropylene (PP) and polylactide (PLA) macromolecules by dissolving these polymers in hot xylene and precipitation by slow cooling. These partially disentangled polymers were used to produce “all-polymer” nanocomposites in the process of mixing solid, disentangled polymer with other molten polymer. The mixing forces deformed crystals present inside grains of PP or PLA into nano size fibers. After cooling at end of mixing the molten polymer formed matrix of nanocomposite, with PP or PLA fibers dispersed inside it.