Effect of Graphitic Nanomaterials on Thermal, Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Polypropylene Nanocomposites

Graphitic nanomaterials such as GO, RGO and carbon nanotubes (CNT) have attracted great interest in recent years because of their various applications such as mechanical, thermal, optical, and electrical properties [1-6]. PP is one of the commercial importance polyolefins because of its cost-effectiveness as well as intrinsic properties of low density, high stiffness, good tensile strength and inertness toward acids, alkalis and solvents [7]. PP has also been used in a wide range of applications including packaging [8], textiles [9], automotive components [10,11], aerospace [12,13], home applications [14], construction [15,16] etc. as per say; therefore, the improvement in the properties of PP is further needed. Researchers around the world tried various nanofillers such as MMT [17], nTiO2 [18,19], nBaCO3 [20], CaCO3 [21], nano polystyrene [22], Tea Dust /GO [23], graphene [24,25] and CNT [26] to improve thermal and mechanical properties of PP matrix. Some of the researchers used functionalization of graphene using 4,4’-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and stearic acid to improve thermal and mechanical properties of PP [24]. Ryu [27] have done the functionalization of GO by alkylamine, and studied the crystallization, mechanical and electrical properties of isotactic polypropylene nanocomposites. Polypropylene composites of alkylamine-modified GO were prepared through a melt blending technique using maleic anhydride-grafted PP as a compatibilizer. Significant improvements were observed in melt crystallization characteristics, mechanical and electrical properties upon loading alkyl amine-modified GO in PP due to strong interfacial interactions between the polymer and modified GO.