Improvement in the thermal and mechanical properties of PP/Clay nanocomposite using novel ethoxylated oxidized PE wax as a compatibilizer. Issue 1 (6th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Karimi, Mohammad Hadi; Mortazavi, Seyed Mohammad Mahdi; Ahmadjo, Saeid; Azizi, Hamed; Rostami‐Darounkola, Mohammad Reza
• Is Part Of: Polymer composites. Volume 43:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 389
• Page End: 398
• Publication Date: 2021-11-06
• Subjects: compatibilizer -- ethoxylated‐OPE wax -- nanoclay -- nanocomposite -- polypropylene; Polymeric composites -- Periodicals; 620.192
• DOI: 10.1002/pc.26383
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-8397

Abstract

Abstract: An ethoxylated polyethylene wax (E‐OPEW) was synthesized by PEGylation reaction between methoxy polyethylene glycol and oxidized PE wax. Clay nanoparticles were modified with different ratios of E‐OPEW and then compounded with PP by the melt mixing process. E‐OPEW and PP showed excellent compatibility, but at high percentages of wax (15%), incompatibility occurred between the two phases. In addition, the presence of modified clays in the PP matrix decreased the crystallinity percentage, though it did not change the melting temperature significantly. The results showed that functionalized wax is able to penetrate between clay platelets and increase the distance between them and improve their dispersion in the polymer matrix. Furthermore, it was observed that the distance between clay platelets increased by increasing E‐OPEW content. In addition, this result led to a significant improvement in the barrier properties of clay platelets and the thermal stability of the modified nanocomposite compared to other cases. Despite the improved dispersion of nanoparticles, the mechanical strength of nanocomposites decreased at a high percentage of E‐OPEW. Abstract : An ethoxylated polyethylene wax (E‐OPEW) synthesized, then clay nanoparticles were modified with different ratios of mentioned E‐OPEW and finally compounded with polypropylene by the melt mixing process.