Polypropylene-clay nanocomposites:: effect of compatibilizing agents on clay dispersion

In this work, polypropylene-clay nanocomposites are obtained and studied by using two different coupling agents, diethyl maleate and maleic anhydride. Two different clays, a commercial montmorillonite (Nanomer I30.TC) and a sodium bentonite purified and modified with octadecylammonium ions have also been used. The relative influence of each factor, matrix and clay modification, can be observed from structural analysis (SAXS, TEM) and mechanical properties. An explanation of the results is proposed according to the microstructure and chemical nature of the systems and the thermodynamic interactions operating during nanocomposite preparation. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.