Morphological investigation of PP/nanosilica composites containing SEBS

• Published in: Polymer testing Vol. 31; no. 2; pp. 355 - 365
• Main Authors: Panaitescu, Denis Mihaela, Vuluga, Zina, Radovici, Constantin, Nicolae, Cristian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kindlington Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: AFM; Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Indication; Morphology; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nanostructure; Particulate composites; Physicochemistry of polymers; Plastic deformation; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymer matrix composites; Polymer nanocomposites; Polypropylenes; Technology of polymers; AFM; Morphology; Polymer nanocomposites; Elastic modulus; Nanoparticle; SEBS; Propylene polymer; Mechanical properties; Thermoplastic rubber; Polymer; Tensile property; Plastic deformation; Adhesion; Silica; Composite material; Thermal properties; Triblock copolymer; Olefin polymer; Nanocomposite
• ISSN: 0142-9418; 1873-2348
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymertesting.2011.12.010

The effect of styrene-(ethylene-co-butylene)-styrene triblock copolymer (SEBS) on the mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of polypropylene (PP) composites filled with nanosilica particles is investigated. A simultaneous increase of all tensile characteristics is observed in PP/nanosilica composites without SEBS and containing 5%SEBS and a large plastic deformation in the nanocomposite with 10%SEBS. Different amounts of β-PP are detected by X-ray diffraction analysis and the calculated K-values correlate well with differential scanning calorimetry results. Quantitative mechanical characterization of nanocomposites is performed at nanolevel, using peak force QNM. This AFM technique allows the detection of nanosilica particles and SEBS domains at the surface of samples and gives indications of local interactions between nanosilica and the matrix from the correlation of modulus and adhesion maps, and the increased local values of elastic modulus on extended areas around nanoparticles.