Photo-Oxidative Degradation of Polypropylene Nanocomposites - Effect of Incorporation of Additives on Performance Characteristics

Authors

  • Kadambanathan. K  Mailam Engineering College, Mailam, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Chandrasekar. K  Mailam Engineering College, Mailam, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Muthukumaran. K  Mailam Engineering College, Mailam, Tamil Nadu, India

Keywords:

Ferrocene, FTIR, Carbonyl index, TGA, Castor oil

Abstract

In the present work, polypropylene (PP)/C20A nanocomposite films were prepared in a blown film extruder. Commercially modified organoclay, Cloisite 20A (C20A) and polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA), was used as a reinforcing agent and compatiblizer respectively for the preparation of nanocomposites films. To improve the photo-oxidative degradation of PP/nanocomposite films two different photo initiators; commercial grade ferrocene and iron ricinoleate (synthesized from castor oil) has been added to the nanocomposites films. FTIR analysis of the irradiated samples containing ferrocene and iron ricinoleate shows improved photo oxidative characteristics as compared to PP clay nanocomposites films. Mechanical characterization showed decreased tensile strength, tensile modulus and tear resistance of PP nanocomposites as compared to virgin matrix. However with the addition of PP-g-MA, an improvement in the mechanical properties was obtained due to the particle size reduction of silica agglomerates. Thermal analysis has been carried out employing differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). An increase in the degree of crystallinity of PP nanocomposites with the increase in exposure time period in UV has been observed.TGA thermograms also indicated that the thermal stability of exposed samples were higher than those of the unexposed samples.

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International Journal of Scientific Research in Science, Engineering and Technology

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Published

2015-06-25

Issue

Volume 1, Issue 3, May-June-2015

Section

Research Articles

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How to Cite

[1]
Kadambanathan. K, Chandrasekar. K, Muthukumaran. K, " Photo-Oxidative Degradation of Polypropylene Nanocomposites - Effect of Incorporation of Additives on Performance Characteristics, International Journal of Scientific Research in Science, Engineering and Technology(IJSRSET), Print ISSN : 2395-1990, Online ISSN : 2394-4099, Volume 1, Issue 3, pp.223-228, May-June-2015.