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Evaluation of the Effects of Nanofil® Nanoclays in the Blending of Polypropylene and Polystyrene

Opalko, Robert J.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1207589327

Abstract Details

2008, Master of Science in Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Polymer Engineering.
This study evaluated the effects of Nanofil® nanoclay on morphology development of an immiscible polymer blend of polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS). The hypothesis that smaller dispersed phase domains are formed in the blending of immiscible polymers in the presence of nanoclay was examined in this work. A much studied immiscible polymer system of PP and PS was considered in conjunction with a commercial nanoclay. The nanoparticles studied were the surface modified montmorillonites from Süd-Chemie, Nanofil® SE 3000 and Nanofil® SE 3010. The commercial nanoclay was reported to work well for PP/PS blends, although it was anticipated at the outset that nanocomposites would not be produced. The compounds were prepared using a co-rotating twin screw extruder under commercially viable conditions. It was found that smaller dispersed domains were formed in the presence of nanoparticles, but that the effect was composition dependent. The blend with a 55/45 ratio by weight of PP/PS showed a change of morphology from co-continuous to droplet-matrix type upon the addition of nanoclay. The blend with a 75/25 ratio by weight of PP/PS showed a more definite reduction of minor phase size. Additionally, in some cases, the nanoparticles were found to be at the interface, which was an indication that the nanoparticles did not have an affinity for PP or PS. The morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy, wide angle X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, and the thermal properties were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry. The mechanical and rheological properties were also evaluated. Nanofil® SE 3000 was found to be superior to Nanofil® SE 3010 as it gave rise to smaller dispersed phase size. Pre-compounding the nanoclay into the polystyrene phase was found to be beneficial.
Sadhan Jana, PhD (Advisor)
Erol Sancaktar, PhD (Committee Member)
Kyonsuku Min, PhD (Committee Member)
137 p.
Plastics; Polymers
Polymer blends; nanoclay; polypropylene; polystyrene; compatibilizer

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Opalko, R. J. (2008). Evaluation of the Effects of Nanofil® Nanoclays in the Blending of Polypropylene and Polystyrene [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1207589327

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Opalko, Robert. Evaluation of the Effects of Nanofil® Nanoclays in the Blending of Polypropylene and Polystyrene. 2008. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1207589327.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Opalko, Robert. "Evaluation of the Effects of Nanofil® Nanoclays in the Blending of Polypropylene and Polystyrene." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1207589327

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1207589327
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© 2008, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.
Release 3.2.12