Effects of antistatic agent on the mechanical, morphological and antistatic properties of polypropylene/organo-montmorillonite nanocomposites
W. S. Chow, W. L. Tham
Vol. 3., No.2., Pages 116-125, 2009
DOI: 10.3144/expresspolymlett.2009.15
DOI: 10.3144/expresspolymlett.2009.15
Corresponding author: W. S. Chow 
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT
Polypropylene (PP) and PP/organo-montmorillonite (OMMT) compounds containing antistatic agent (3, 6 and 9 wt%) were prepared using co-rotating twin screw extruder followed by injection molding. PP/OMMT composites were prepared by mixing of PP, OMMT and maleated PP (PPgMAH). The mechanical properties of PP blends and PP/OMMT nanocomposites were studied by tensile and impact tests. The effect of antistatic agent (AA) on the surface resistivity of PP and PP/OMMT nanocomposites were studied. The morphological properties of PP blends and PP/OMMT nanocomposites were characterized by using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The intercalation of OMMT silicates layer in PP nanocomposites was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The impact strength of PP blends and PP/OMMT nanocomposites did not vary significantly by the addition of antistatic agent. The tensile modulus and tensile strength of PP/OMMT nanocomposites were slightly decreased with the increasing loading of antistatic agents. From FESEM analysis, the dispersion of antistatic agent in the PP matrix can be revealed. In addition, the surface resistivity of PP/OMMT compound was affected by the loading of antistatic agent. XRD results indicated the formation of intercalated nanocomposites for PP/OMMT/AA.
