Effect of a new amido‐imidazolium compound as a clay modifier on properties of polypropylene composites

Halloysite nanotubes (HNT) and montmorillonite (Mt) were modified by a novel, dicarboxylic fatty acid substituted amido‐imidazolium chloride. It was found that the modification process of the clays by the imidazolium compound improved their dispersion in the polymer matrix, while HNT were a more beneficial filler of PP than Mt. PP/imidazolium modified HNT composites (PP/HNT‐M) showed significant increase in thermo‐oxidative stability, flexibility, and toughness, combined with a slight reduction in stiffness, as well as a lack of changes in crystallinity and strength, compared with neat PP. These effects were not observed for PP/Mt composites. The formation of strong interactions between the imidazolium compound and tubes' surfaces was supposed to be responsible for the more advantageous properties of PP/HNT‐M composites.