Polypropylene nanocomposites produced by in‐situ grafting of maleic anhydride using different mixing procedures

Abstract Nanocomposites (NC) of polypropylene (PP) and organophilic montmorillonite (oMt) are produced by reactive mixing with simultaneous grafting of maleic anhydride (MA) onto PP using organic peroxide as initiator. Five different strategies of incorporating reactants and clay into a laboratory mixer are used. The structure of composites is examined by FT‐IR spectroscopy, x‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Rotational rheometry, thermogravimetry and oxygen permeability are used to evaluate properties. The preparation method has a remarkable influence on NC's structure. Simultaneous addition of peroxide and MA to molten PP followed by incorporation of clay 20 minutes later produces the best degree of clay exfoliation/disaggregation. The NCs obtained using this procedure are highly transparent and have very thin tactoids with interlayer spacing more than 50% larger than the original oMt. The incorporation of just 2 wt% of clay gives place to more than 30% reduction in PP oxygen permeability. Additionally, the temperature at the maximum thermal degradation rate in nitrogen reduces in about 60°C while the temperature at which the thermal degradation process begins is not affected. Highlights Highly intercalated/exfoliated PP/oMt nanocomposites are synthesized Reactive mixing procedure affects the quality of nanocomposite's structure A initial period of grafting before clay addition is the most effective method Highly transparent materials with small tactoids of d₀₀₁>4 nm is generated PP oxygen permeability is highly reduced by the use of just 2 wt% of nanoclay