Polypropylene/ maleic anhydride /organic montmorillonite nanocomposites (PP/ MA/ Org-MMT) have been prepared via direct melt intercalation in an internal mixer. Maleic anhydride (MA) was used as a compatibilizer to improve the dispersability of the clay. The structures of nanocomposites have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mechanical properties and thermal stability were determined by tensile analysis and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. The XRD patterns, TEM and SEM image showed exfoliation of Org-MMT layers in PP matrix and existence of both the exfoliated, intercalated structures of the formed nanocomposites in presence of 1% MA. The tensile strength, elongation at break, and thermal stability of PP/MA/Org-MMT nanocomposites was higher than those of neat PP. MA played a very important role in reduction of size of Org-MMT and improved its dispersion in PP matrix. | Study on the structure and properties of polypropylene clay nanocomposites
