Synthesis and characterization of polypropylene/clay nanocomposites

Polypropylene/clay (PP/clay) nanocomposites were synthesized via intercalat ive polymerization. The nanostructure of the composites was investigated by wide-angle X-ray diffractometry (WAXD) and transmission electron microscop y (TEM). The WAXD patterns of the PP/clay nanocomposites indicated that the characteristic diffraction peak of the clay disappeared. The TEM image sho wed the clay was exfoliated into nanometer size and dispersed uniformly in the PP matrix. The composites exhibited much higher storage modulus compare d to that of pure PP. At temperatures higher than T-g, the storage modulus of the PP/clay nanocomposites with 8.1 wt% clay content increased three tim es that of the pure PP. Additionally, the thermal stability of the nanocomp osites significantly increased. The maximum decomposition temperature was i ncreased by 44 degrees With the introduction of about 10 wt% clay. The heat -distortion temperatures (HDTs) of the nanocomposites also increased. (C) 2 001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.