Effect of different structure MCM-41 fillers with PP-g-MA on mechanical and crystallization performances of polypropylene

An organic/inorganic nanocomposite of polypropylene (PP) was prepared by melt compounding techniques. Uniform structure MCM-41 (without template) fillers were modified with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) prepared by solution polymerization. The methylmethacrylate (MMA) monomer and initiator were first supported in the mesopores of MCM-41 (without template) to initiate the polymerization of MMA in the mesopores of MCM-41 subsequently. IR, TG and XRD attested to MMA polymerization within the mesopores of MCM-41.The effects of different structured nano-materials, MCM-41 (with template)/PP-g-MA, MCM-41 (without template)/PP-g-MA, (PMMA/MCM-41)/PP-g-MA on the crystallization, and mechanical properties of polypropylene composites were investigated. The results of PLM proved the co-incorporation of PMMA/MCM-41 filler and PP-g-MA decreased the spherulites sizes of PP and shattered the spherulites. The results of mechanical tests showed that at the same nano-material loading, the co-incorporation of PMMA/MCM-41 filler and PP-g-MA gave rise to much better tensile and impact strength than co-incorporating of MCM-41 (with template)/PP-g-MA, MCM-41 (without template)/PP-g-MA due to different interfacial structure between the fillers and the matrix.