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Role of interfacial compatibilizer and functionality of rubber phase on micromorphology development and mechanical properties of PP/EPDM/nanosilica ternary nanocomposite

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Abstract

In this study, attempts have been made to assess the influence of interfacial compatibilizer and functionality of the elastomeric phase on micromorphology development and mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)/ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM)/silicon dioxide (SiO2) ternary composites, containing 10 wt% of PP grafted with maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) as a compatibilizer. Samples are fabricated by melt compounding of materials in a laboratory internal mixer. It is shown that the melt viscoelastic as well as developing micromorphology of nanocomposites is affected by the functionality of EPDM and incorporating compatibilizer. Morphological/mechanical features and fracture behavior of the nanocomposites are studied via diverse characterization methods including field-emission scanning electron microscopy, rheological trails and mechanical testing. The results are obviously demonstrative of the dependence of micromorphology on SiO2 nanoparticles’ positioning. The highly enhanced tensile properties in nanocomposites are achieved by coincident utilizing of compatibilizer and unfunctionalized rubber rather than functionalized EPDM due to the finer and more homogeneous dispersion of elastomer particles and SiO2 nanoparticles in EPDM-contained sample. In stark contrast, however, the core–shell structure of uncompatibilized PP/EPDM/nano-SiO2, which facilitates overlapping of the stress fields between the elastomer droplets along the PP matrix, contributes to its highest impact-resistant properties in great concordance to its shear-yielding toughening mechanism.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Polymer and Color Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Hafez Ave., Tehran, 1591634311, Iran

    Sonia Mokhtari Dizaji & Ali Asghar Katbab

  2. Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Bonab, Bonab, 5551761167, Iran

    Sina Hajibabazadeh

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  1. Sonia Mokhtari Dizaji
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  2. Ali Asghar Katbab
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  3. Sina Hajibabazadeh
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Mokhtari Dizaji, S., Katbab, A.A. & Hajibabazadeh, S. Role of interfacial compatibilizer and functionality of rubber phase on micromorphology development and mechanical properties of PP/EPDM/nanosilica ternary nanocomposite. Polym. Bull. 80, 1353–1368 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-022-04112-6

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