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Effects of crosslinked elastomer particles on heterogeneous nucleation of isotactic PP in dynamically vulcanized EPDM/PP and EOC/PP blends

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Abstract

The isothermal and non-isothermal crystallizations of PP in neat form and in the TPVs EPDM/PP and EOC/PP were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The crystallization of PP was systematically studied by fitting mathematical models, and was later confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The experiments revealed that crosslinked elastomer particles first accelerated the primary nucleation of the PP matrix, acting effectively as a nucleating agent that reduces the induction time while increasing the nucleation efficiency. In the secondary nucleation regime (growth of spherulites), the crosslinked elastomer particles enhanced crystal growth rate, reducing the nucleation energy contribution from PP chain folding. Moreover, the crosslinked elastomer particles increased the final thickness of PP lamellae from that of neat PP, and this was corroborated by the XRD results. On comparing the two types of elastomer, it was found that the EOC particles were more effective in heterogeneous cell nucleation than the EPDM particles. The morphological study by SEM revealed completely altered PP spherulite size and shape, as well as their altered distribution, affected by heterogeneous nucleation effects of the crosslinked elastomer particles.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Innovation Group (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and from the Graduate School, Prince of Songkla University. The Agriculture Products Processing Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, PR China, is also acknowledged for access to their facilities and equipment. The Research and Development Office (RDO), Prince of Songkla University and Dr. Seppo Karrila are acknowledged for reviewing a draft manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rubber Technology and Polymer Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus, Pattani, 94001, Thailand

    Nattapon Uthaipan & Anoma Thitithammawong

  2. Chinese Agricultural Ministry Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Product Processing, Agricultural Product Processing Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Zhanjiang, 524001, People’s Republic of China

    Methakarn Jarnthong & Zheng Peng

  3. Research and Development Center, Innovation Group (Thailand) Company Limited, Bangkok, 10240, Thailand

    Banja Junhasavasdikul

  4. Faculty of Science and Industrial Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Surat Thani Campus, Surat Thani, 84000, Thailand

    Charoen Nakason

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  1. Nattapon Uthaipan
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Correspondence to Anoma Thitithammawong.

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Uthaipan, N., Jarnthong, M., Peng, Z. et al. Effects of crosslinked elastomer particles on heterogeneous nucleation of isotactic PP in dynamically vulcanized EPDM/PP and EOC/PP blends. J Polym Res 24, 118 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-017-1279-3

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