Organic-inorganic hybrid network constructed in polypropylene matrix and its reinforcing effects on polypropylene composites

A facile approach was proposed to improve the mechanical properties of the polymer composites by organic-inorganic hybrid networks assembled via hydrogen bonding between halloysite nanotubes and organic hydrogen bonding coupler. Organic hydrogen bonding couplers were incorporated to the polypropylene composites and the hybrid networks were in situ constructed in the process of the fabricating of the composites. The investigations suggest that the formation of hybrid network can remarkably improve the mechanical properties of the composites, mainly including the tensile strength, flexural properties. In addition, the hydrogen bonds between organic hydrogen bonding coupler and halloysite nanotubes and the constructed organic-inorganic hybrid networks were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results show that the absorption of Si-O of the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra and the binding energy of the Si and Al atoms of the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra changed to some extent, indicating the existence of hydrogen bonds between organic hydrogen bonding coupler and halloysite nanotubes. Dynamic mechanical studies suggest the existence of the hybrid networks in the polypropylene matrix.