Effect of Compatibilizer on Properties of Polypropylene Layered Silicate Nanocomposite

Polypropylene layered silicate nanocomposites based on muscovite clay were prepared via melt compounding using Thermo Haake internal mixer. Muscovite was organically modified with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Poly(propylene-g-maleic anhydride) copolymer (PP-g-MAH) and polypropylene-methyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (PP-POSS) were used as a compatibilizer in the nanocomposite system at concentration of 3.0 wt% based on muscovite content. Consequently effect of compatibilizer on the mechanical properties of the nano–composites was characterized. It was found that the PP-g-MAH compatibiliser possess better overall mechanical properties than the nanocomposites with PP-POSS compatibilizer. The reason was partly due to better adhesion provided by compatibilization effect of PP-g-MAH than PP-POSS as exhibited in scanning electron micrographs.