Nanocomposite of polypropylene/octadecylamine lamellar-zirconium phosphate: Influence of nanofiller and screw speed

Nanocomposite based on polypropylene and octadecylamine-modified lamellar-zirconium phosphate (PP/nano-ZrPOct) was prepared by melt processing. The action of the nanofiller and screw speed on the properties were evaluated. SEM images revealed that at highest screw speed, the higher nano-ZrPOct dispersion was achieved. In WAXD diffractrograms, some nanofiller diffraction peaks disappeared and a new peak was observed at low angle. There was evidence of increase of thermal stability although only discrete increasing in initial degradation temperature has been noticed. Melting and crystallization temperatures were invariable but crystallinity degree was influenced with a decreasing behavior at highest screw speed. The results strongly evidenced that the intercalation of the PP chains inside the nano-ZrPOct galleries and some degree of delamination of the nanofiller platelets have been achieved.