TY - JOUR
T1 - Synergistic effect of functionalized silica nanoparticles and a β-nucleating agent for the improvement of the mechanical properties of a propylene/ethylene random copolymer
AU - Papageorgiou, Dimitrios G.
AU - Vourlias, George
AU - Bikiaris, Dimitrios N.
AU - Chrissafis, Konstantinos
PY - 2014/1/1
Y1 - 2014/1/1
N2 - In the current study, neat (SiO2) and methacrylate-modified silica nanoparticles (SiO2-MAA) are added simultaneously with a β-nucleated agent in propylene/ethylene random copolymer (PPR). From Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, it is found that modified silica can be joined covalently with PPR macromolecular backbones with the help of poly(propylene-g-maleic anhydride) copolymer, improving dispersion of nanoparticles and increasing their adhesion with the PPR matrix. The formation of β-phase crystals was evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) along with the crystallinity, crystal size and d-spacing values. Tensile tests and dynamic mechanical analysis confirmed the reinforcement effect of the nanoparticles as well as the effect of β-crystals on the final properties of the nanocomposites.
AB - In the current study, neat (SiO2) and methacrylate-modified silica nanoparticles (SiO2-MAA) are added simultaneously with a β-nucleated agent in propylene/ethylene random copolymer (PPR). From Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, it is found that modified silica can be joined covalently with PPR macromolecular backbones with the help of poly(propylene-g-maleic anhydride) copolymer, improving dispersion of nanoparticles and increasing their adhesion with the PPR matrix. The formation of β-phase crystals was evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) along with the crystallinity, crystal size and d-spacing values. Tensile tests and dynamic mechanical analysis confirmed the reinforcement effect of the nanoparticles as well as the effect of β-crystals on the final properties of the nanocomposites.
KW - mechanical properties
KW - nanocomposites
KW - polypropylene random copolymer
KW - silica nanoparticles
KW - surface modification
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84902262603&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/mame.201300320
DO - 10.1002/mame.201300320
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84902262603
SN - 1438-7492
VL - 299
SP - 707
EP - 721
JO - Macromolecular Materials and Engineering
JF - Macromolecular Materials and Engineering
IS - 6
ER -