Preparation and Characterization of Polypropylene/Montmorillionite Nanocomposites

Polypropylene (PP)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites were prepared by melt mixing methods. MMT modified by dimethyl hydrogenated tallow 2-ethylhexyl ammonium (Cloisite 15A) was used. Polyolefine oligomer with telechelic OH groups was used as a compatibilizer. The degree of dispersion of MMT in the nanocomposites was measured by X-ray diffractometer and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images. MMT was well exfoliated when the contents of compatibilizer was 25 phr. The thermal stability that observed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) increased with the contents of MMT increased up to 5 phr. The complex viscosities and storage moduli of PP nanocomposites enhanced as the contents of compatibilizer decreased and those of MMT increased.