Design and properties of a novel nucleating agent for isotactic polypropylene

Three new nucleating agents TB, TD and TSD (titanate of benzoate or 4-tert-Butylbenzoate) were prepared. Isotactic polypropylene (iPP) nucleated were studied by using thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized light microscopy (PLM). The mechanical properties and Vicat softening temperature (VST) of iPP were also tested. The results indicated that these three nucleating agents were very effective in increasing the crystallization temperature (Tc) and crystallinity (Xc) of iPP. Mechanical properties of nucleated iPP were improved remarkably, especially nucleating agent TSD.

► Three new nucleating agents which is structurally similar to Al-PTBBA were prepared.
► These three nucleating agents were very effective in increasing Tc and Xc of iPP.
► Great improvement of mechanical properties of nucleated iPP was also obtained.
► Nucleating agent TSD was the most effective nucleating agent for iPP.