Synthesis, characterization and properties of poly(propylene-1-octene)/graphite nanosheet nanocomposites obtained by in situ polymerization

- First synthesis of polypropylene-1-octene copolymer/graphite nanosheets (GNS) nanocomposites.
- Nanocomposites have a wide range of mechanical properties, from rigid to flexible.
- GNS increase modulus, crystallization temperature and electrical properties.
- Isothermal crystallization studies by optical microscopy confirmed the nucleation power of GNS.
- Polypropylene copolymers as matrix is an alternative to the brittleness of PP/GNS nanocomposites.

Poly(propylene-1-octene)/graphite nanosheet (PPC8/GNS) nanocomposites with different comonomer and graphite nanosheet (GNS) contents were synthesized by in situ polymerization using metallocene catalyst. There was a significant increase in the crystallization temperature of all the nanocomposites. Isothermal crystallization studies by optical microscopy confirmed that the GNSs act as nucleating agent increasing the crystallization rate in the nanocomposites. Transmission electron micrographs showed a good dispersion of the nanoparticles. Mechanical properties confirm the reinforcing effect that the nanoparticles confer to the polymer, especially increasing the modulus. Impedance measurements proved that the conductivity of the nanocomposites increase up to 11 orders of magnitude compared to neat polymers. The main novelty of this work is the control of the nanocomposite properties through the variation of the comonomer and the graphite nanosheets contents.