Interfacial designing of PP/GF composites by binary incorporation of MAH-g-PP and lithium bis(trifloromethanesulfonyl)imide: Towards high strength composites with excellent antistatic performance

Abstract High strength polypropylene (PP)/glass fiber (GF) composites with excellent antistatic performance were prepared by binary incorporation of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) and lithium bis(trifloromethanesulfonyl)imide (Li-TFSI) into PP/GF composites. Li-TFSI was used as antistatic agents and MAPP was added as the interfacial binder between GF and PP matrix. It was found that the interface between PP and GF can be tuned by the binary addition of MAPP and Li-TFSI. The mechanical properties of PP/GF composites are enhanced drastically with the addition of MAPP. However, Li-TFSI induces the decreasing of the mechanical properties with enhanced antistatic performance of the composites. The investigation showed that Li-TFSI, as a high polar agent, breaks the physisorbed silane on the glass fiber, which induces the deterioration in the strengthening effects of MAPP. At the same time, the Li-TFSI is absorbed on the surface of GF and the ions are ready to move along the GF, so the antistatic performance is achieved. The specific interactions between Li-TFSI, GF and MAPP make it possible to design the interface of PP/GF composites by the binary incorporation of MAPP and Li-TFSI. Therefore, high performance PP/GF composites with both excellent antistaticity and high strength can be achieved.