Preparation and β-crystallization of zeolite filled isotactic polypropylene composites

In order to prepare the zeolite filled beta-iPP composites, zeolite supported by calcium pimelate as beta-nucleator (beta-zeolite) was prepared by the interaction between calcified zeolite and pimelic acid. The effects of Ca(Ac)(2) solution concentration in the prepared calcified zeolite process and pimelic acid content on beta-nucleating ability of beta-zeolite were investigated and the crystallization and melting characteristic of zeolite, calcified zeolite and beta-zeolite filled iPP composites were compared. DSC and MAD analysis indicated that the zeolite and calcified zeolite have alpha-nucleation and the prepared beta-zeolite has high beta-nucleating ability for iPP crystallization. The beta-nucleating ability of prepared beta-zeolite is dependent of Ca(Ac)(2) solution concentration and pimelic acid content. The prepared p-zeolite content has little influence on the crystallization and melting characteristic and the beta-phase content of the filled iPP composites. The zeolite filled beta-iPP composites with high p-phase content can be easily obtained by adding beta-zeolite into the iPP matrix. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.