Preparation and β-crystallization of zeolite filled isotactic polypropylene composites

In order to prepare the zeolite filled β-iPP composites, zeolite supported by calcium pimelate as β-nucleator (β-zeolite) was prepared by the interaction between calcified zeolite and pimelic acid. The effects of Ca(Ac)2 solution concentration in the prepared calcified zeolite process and pimelic acid content on β-nucleating ability of β-zeolite were investigated and the crystallization and melting characteristic of zeolite, calcified zeolite and β-zeolite filled iPP composites were compared. DSC and WXAD analysis indicated that the zeolite and calcified zeolite have α-nucleation and the prepared β-zeolite has high β-nucleating ability for iPP crystallization. The β-nucleating ability of prepared β-zeolite is dependent of Ca(Ac)2 solution concentration and pimelic acid content. The prepared β-zeolite content has little influence on the crystallization and melting characteristic and the β-phase content of the filled iPP composites. The zeolite filled β-iPP composites with high β-phase content can be easily obtained by adding β-zeolite into the iPP matrix.