Comparative study between PP-g-MAH and PP-methyl-POSS as compatibilizer for NanoSiO2/PP composites: Mechanical and morphological properties

Abstract

The work presented in this paper discussed the effect of two types of compatibilizer such as polypropylene grafted maleic anhydrate (PP-g-MAH) and polypropylene methyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (PP-methyl-POSS) in nanosilica/polypropylene (nanoSiO2/PP) composites on the mechanical behaviour. Nano-SiO2/PP composites, containing 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 wt% of fumed silica nanoparticles were prepared using a thermo Haake internal mixer with addition of 1 wt% compatibilizer according to the total composite weight. The purposed of using the compatibilizer was to reduce the size of particles agglomerates and improve fller dispersion in the polymeric matrix. The composites were characterized by tensile and impact testing as well as SEM studies. This study clearly demonstrated that the addition of compatibilizer into the composite systems modifes the mechanical properties. Results of the mechanical properties indicate that due to its characteristic, each compatibilizer gives rise to increase particular mechanical properties. At low fller concentration, PP-methyl-POSS showed better stiffness in the nanoSiO 2/PP composites. While, the addition of PP-g-MAH provided better tensile and impact properties compared to PP-methyl-POSS in the rage of fller content in this study.