Processing and characterization of halloysite nanotubes filled polypropylene nanocomposites based on a masterbatch route: effect of halloysites treatment on structural and mechanical properties

Halloysites/polypropylene nanocomposites with different nanotubes contents were prepared by diluting a masterbatch containing 30 wt.% halloysites with polypropylene (PP). Unmodified (HNTs) and quaternary ammonium salt treated (QM-HNTs) halloysite nanotubes were used. Both degree of crystallinity and...

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Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Budapest University of Technology and Economics 2011-04-01
Series:eXPRESS Polymer Letters
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Online Access:http://www.expresspolymlett.com/letolt.php?file=EPL-0001728&mi=cd
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collection DOAJ
description Halloysites/polypropylene nanocomposites with different nanotubes contents were prepared by diluting a masterbatch containing 30 wt.% halloysites with polypropylene (PP). Unmodified (HNTs) and quaternary ammonium salt treated (QM-HNTs) halloysite nanotubes were used. Both degree of crystallinity and crystallization temperature increase upon addition of halloysites into PP, thus indicating a potential nucleation effect induced by the nanotubes. An homogeneous distribution and dispersion of nanotubes was observed throughout the PP matrix, with a slightly better dispersion in the case of modified QM-HNTs compared to unmodified HNTs. Mechanical tests in tension, bending and notched impact demonstrated that strength and modulus of the nanocomposites significantly increase with addition of halloysites without significant loss of ductility. An halloysite content of 6 wt.% appears as an optimum. Modified halloysites (QM-HNTs) lead to globally better performances due to strong interfacial interaction between the polymer matrix and the nanotubes.
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publisher Budapest University of Technology and Economics
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series eXPRESS Polymer Letters
spelling doaj-art-1ffba58ff8e24b5fb673757770b481ab2025-08-20T02:42:07ZengBudapest University of Technology and EconomicseXPRESS Polymer Letters1788-618X2011-04-015429530710.3144/expresspolymlett.2011.30Processing and characterization of halloysite nanotubes filled polypropylene nanocomposites based on a masterbatch route: effect of halloysites treatment on structural and mechanical propertiesHalloysites/polypropylene nanocomposites with different nanotubes contents were prepared by diluting a masterbatch containing 30 wt.% halloysites with polypropylene (PP). Unmodified (HNTs) and quaternary ammonium salt treated (QM-HNTs) halloysite nanotubes were used. Both degree of crystallinity and crystallization temperature increase upon addition of halloysites into PP, thus indicating a potential nucleation effect induced by the nanotubes. An homogeneous distribution and dispersion of nanotubes was observed throughout the PP matrix, with a slightly better dispersion in the case of modified QM-HNTs compared to unmodified HNTs. Mechanical tests in tension, bending and notched impact demonstrated that strength and modulus of the nanocomposites significantly increase with addition of halloysites without significant loss of ductility. An halloysite content of 6 wt.% appears as an optimum. Modified halloysites (QM-HNTs) lead to globally better performances due to strong interfacial interaction between the polymer matrix and the nanotubes.http://www.expresspolymlett.com/letolt.php?file=EPL-0001728&mi=cdNanocompositesHalloysite nanotubesPolypropyleneMechanicalMorphological
spellingShingle Processing and characterization of halloysite nanotubes filled polypropylene nanocomposites based on a masterbatch route: effect of halloysites treatment on structural and mechanical properties
eXPRESS Polymer Letters
Nanocomposites
Halloysite nanotubes
Polypropylene
Mechanical
Morphological
title Processing and characterization of halloysite nanotubes filled polypropylene nanocomposites based on a masterbatch route: effect of halloysites treatment on structural and mechanical properties
title_full Processing and characterization of halloysite nanotubes filled polypropylene nanocomposites based on a masterbatch route: effect of halloysites treatment on structural and mechanical properties
title_fullStr Processing and characterization of halloysite nanotubes filled polypropylene nanocomposites based on a masterbatch route: effect of halloysites treatment on structural and mechanical properties
title_full_unstemmed Processing and characterization of halloysite nanotubes filled polypropylene nanocomposites based on a masterbatch route: effect of halloysites treatment on structural and mechanical properties
title_short Processing and characterization of halloysite nanotubes filled polypropylene nanocomposites based on a masterbatch route: effect of halloysites treatment on structural and mechanical properties
title_sort processing and characterization of halloysite nanotubes filled polypropylene nanocomposites based on a masterbatch route effect of halloysites treatment on structural and mechanical properties
topic Nanocomposites
Halloysite nanotubes
Polypropylene
Mechanical
Morphological
url http://www.expresspolymlett.com/letolt.php?file=EPL-0001728&mi=cd