Thermal, mechanical and morphological properties of polypropylene/clay/wood flour nanocomposites

Nanocomposites with polypropylene/clay/wood flour were prepared by melt compounding. Thermal, mechanical and morphological properties were characterized. The addition of clay, compatibilizer and wood flour considerably improved the thermal stability (i.e., decomposition and melting temperatures) of the hybrids. The tensile modulus and strength of most hybrids were highly increased with the increased loading of clay, MAPP and wood flour, compared to the hybrids without wood flour. The wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) patterns showed the increased d-spacing of clay layers, indicating enhanced compatibility between PP and clay with the addition of maleated polypropylene ( MAPP). The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) photomicrographs illustrated the intercalated and partially exfoliated structures of the hybrids with clay, MAPP and wood flour.