Influence of MCM-41 particle on mechanical and morphological behavior of polypropylene

This study investigates the effects of different types of nanoparticles and amount of nanoparticles on morphology and mechanical performance of polypropylene (PP) composites. Three different types of nanoparticles, namely mesoporous MCM-41 (without template), mesoporous MCM-41 (with template), and mesoporous MCM-41, whose pore channels were filled with different flexible polymer inside the pore channels with the aid of supercritical CO2 are considered. PP composites containing (0.5–5 wt.%) mesoporous MCM-41 were prepared by compounding. The tensile properties of the composites determined as a function of the filler loading and the different types of nanoparticles are found to vary with the different interface between different fillers and the matrix. The results of tensile tests showed that different flexible polymer filled mesoporous MCM-41 nanoparticles could simultaneously provide PP with strengthening and toughening effects at rather low filler content (0.5 wt.%). Scanning electron microscopy studies revealed a good dispersion of the MCM-41–S-PMMA and MCM-41–S-PS particles in the PP matrix and the enhancement of the interface between PP and MCM-41 are obtained.