Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Science - Department of Physical Chemistry

Polypropylene /clay nanocomposites have been used extensively in a wide range of applications due to their enhanced properties compared to the properties of their constituents. The degree of enhancement in their properties depends on the extent to which their different phases are compatible with each other. In the present work the problem of incompatibility between the hydrophobic polypropylene (PP) polymer and the hydrophilic natural sodium montmorillonite clay (Na-MMT) in the polymer nanocomposites synthesis process, has been overcome by using PP grafted p-hydroxy-N-phenyl maleimide (PP-g-pHPMA) monomer as a compatibilizer and also by modifying the Egyptian natural sodium montmorillonite clay using two different organic surfactants. Four nanocomposite series were synthesized by melt reactive extrusion in a brabender twin screw extruder. The compatibilizer, the organoclay kind (OMMT1 or OMMT2) and the amount of added organoclay are the process parameters. The effect of compatibilizer and organoclay content on the properties of the prepared nanocomposites have been studied using X-ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD), Melt Flow Index measurements (MFI), Thermogravemetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) and Water Vapor Transmission Rate measurements (WVTR) nanocomposites. SEM micrographs show the morphology of some of the prepared nanocomposites. Melt flow index results show a great increase in the value of the MFI by increasing the organoclay content and the increase is lower in the presence of compatibilizer

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