Effect of PP-g-MAH on mechanical properties of PP/SiO₂ nanocomposites

In order to further improve the mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP), maleic anhydride grafted with polypropylene (PP-g-MAH) was used as the interface compatible agent of polypropylene/silicon dioxide (PP/SiO₂). The influence of the contents of PP-g-MAH on the mechanical property, morphology and crystallization behavior of PP/nano-SiO₂ was discussed, and the compatibilization mechanism of PP-g-MAH was studied. The results indicated that the mechanical properties of PP/nano-SiO₂ composite were improved due to the addition of PP-g-MAH, and the interfacial adhesion between nano-SiO₂ and PP was also enhanced. As the interfacial strength and thickness of PP/nano-SiO₂ were increased by PP-g-MAH, the modification effects of the composite using KH-570 and PP-g-MAH together were better than using KH-570 only. Furthermore, PP-g-MAH has obvious nucleation effect on the crystallization process of PP, which increases the crystallization temperature of the modified PP.