Ionic compatibilization of polypropylene/polyamide 6 blends using an ionic liquids/nanotalc filler combination: morphology, thermal and mechanical properties

In this study, room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) based on phosphonium cations have been used as effective compatibilizers of polyolefin/polyamide 6/synthetic talc blends using a melt extrusion process. Thus, different ionic liquids functionalized by various counteranions (phosphinate versus bistriflimide) were introduced at various concentrations (1, 5 and 10 wt%) in the polymer mixtures. Then, the crystallization behaviour, the thermal and mechanical properties of blends as well as the morphologies were investigated. The transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) micrographs demonstrated that the use of a very low amount of ILs (1 wt%) led to a significant reduction of the size of the dispersed PA 6 phase. Moreover, the thermal properties of PP/PA6/talc were dramatically enhanced (+80 degrees C) and the mechanical performance was improved without reducing the strain at break suggesting a synergistic effect between nanotalc and ionic liquids.