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Water absorption kinetics of palygorskite nanoclay/polypropylene composite foams

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Abstract

The present work studies the water absorption kinetics of polypropylene foams modified with palygorskite nanoclay. The polypropylene/palygorskite composites were prepared with a modular twin-screw extruder and then foamed in a conical twin-screw extruder. The mechanisms of water absorption kinetics of the polypropylene/palygorskite foams were analyzed using a multi-stage model to understand the influence of the clay concentration, nanoclay dispersion and foam cell morphology on the water absorption behaviour of the foams. The solid nanocomposites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy to measure the clay dispersion in the matrix. The nano-reinforced foams were characterized by optical microscopy to measure the cell size and by scanning electron microscopy to measure the size of the foam micropores. Water absorption, foam density and cell morphology were also measured. The nanoclay modifies the foam cellular structure, generating non-homogeneous and non-uniform open cells; these cells encompass micropores which facilitate water diffusion consequently the water absorption properties of the foams are modified. The different screw configurations used during the extrusion process of the composites yield polypropylene foams with different clay dispersion and consequently different foam cellular structure.

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Acknowledgements

Authors appreciate the contribution of Santiago Duarte Aranda for scanning electron microscopy. RRPM acknowledges CONACYT (Mexico) for the scholarship granted during the postdoctoral stay for the development of this research.

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  1. Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, Unidad de Materiales, Calle 43, No. 130 Por 32 Y 34 Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, 97205, Mérida, YUC, México

    R. R. Perez-Matu, F. Avilés & P. I. Gonzalez-Chi

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  1. R. R. Perez-Matu
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  2. F. Avilés
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  3. P. I. Gonzalez-Chi
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Correspondence to P. I. Gonzalez-Chi.

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Appendix 1

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Perez-Matu, R.R., Avilés, F. & Gonzalez-Chi, P.I. Water absorption kinetics of palygorskite nanoclay/polypropylene composite foams. Polym. Bull. 81, 4149–4174 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-023-04822-5

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