Polypropylene/clay nanocomposites prepared with masterbatches of polypropylene ionomer and organoclay

Polypropylene (PP) ionomers were obtained by the neutralization of maleic anhydride groups in a maleated PP of which maleic anhydride content was 1 wt%; these were studied as vehicle resins for the masterbatches of an organoclay for PP nanocomposites. PP/clay nanocomposites were prepared by melt mixing of PP with the masterbatches employing a twin screw extruder. Intercalation and/or exfoliation of the organoclay in the PP nanocomposites were observed. It was found that the PP nanocomposite prepared with the masterbatch of an organoclay and the PP ionomer obtained by 75% neutralization of maleic anhydride groups in the maleated PP showed the largest improvement in dispersion of organoclay. Very large increase of Young's modulus was observed in the nanocomposites with the PP ionomer obtained by 75% neutralization of maleic anhydride groups in the maleated PP. The improvements in the dispersion and mechanical properties were attributed to strong interactions between ionic groups of the PP ionomer and ionic surfactants of the organoclay.