Crystallization behavior of polypropylene/silver nanocomposites using polyethylene glycol as reducing agent and interface modifier
Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials
Published online on October 16, 2015
Abstract
In this work, isotactic polypropylene (iPP) nanocomposites were prepared containing silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) with a novel and easy method, using polyethylene glycol (PEG) as reducing agent and surface modifier. Ag-NPs were prepared using different amounts in weight of silver nitrate into PEG to induce the formation of Ag-NPs. PP/Ag nano compounds were prepared by melt blend method: single-screw extruder and internal Brabender mixer. The effects of Ag-NPs and PEG on the crystallization, morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties were evaluated. Ag-NPs with a particle size of 80 nm and typical growth of the β-form in iPP were observed. The presence of PEG in samples of PP/Ag-NPs was detected by infrared spectrometry and the peak characteristic of Ag-NPs by ultraviolet–visible analysis. X-Ray diffraction patterns and differential scanning calorimetry thermograms showed the β-phase formation in both of the dispersion methods, but Brabender mixer showed higher percentages of crystallinity (31% of β-phase). The elongation at break was increased and it was directly dependent on the relative amount of crystalline β-phase. PEG is an excellent precursor to get Ag-NPs and a good interface modifier of iPP.