Thermal and mechanical properties of polypropylene/titanium dioxide nanocomposite fibers

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles were prepared by wet synthesis method and characterized by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction studies. The nanotitanium dioxide then used to prepare polypropylene/titanium dioxide composites by melt mixing method. It was then made into fibers by melt spinning and subsequent drawing. Mechanical properties of the fibers were studied using Favimat tensile testing machine with a load cell of 1200 cN capacity. Thermal behavior of the fibers was studied using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Scanning electron microscope studies were used to investigate the titanium dioxide surface morphology and crosssection of the fiber. Mechanical properties of the polypropylene fiber was improved by the addition of titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Incorporation of nanoparticles improves the thermal stability of polypropylene. Differential scanning calorimetric studies revealed an improvement in crystallinity was observed by the addition of titanium dioxide nanoparticles.

► Wet synthesis method was used for the synthesis of TiO2 nano particles. ► Mechanical properties of polypropylene fibers were increased by the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles. ► Thermal stability of polypropylene fiber was improved significantly by the addition of TiO2 nano particles. ► TiO2 nanoparticles dispersed well in polypropylene fibers.