Polypropylene/clay nanocomposites revisited

Rousseaux, Dimitri
(2010)

Files

These_DRousseaux.pdf
  • Open Access
  • Adobe PDF
  • 23 MB
Download

Details

Authors
  • Rousseaux, DimitriUCLouvain
    author
Supervisors
Marchand-Brynaert, Jacqueline
 ;
Godard, Pierre
Abstract
(en) This thesis is devoted to the optimization of polypropylene (PP)/clay nanocomposites preparation by trying to resolve or find alternatives to the actual limitations of producing PP/clay nanocomposites which restrain their industrial development. A large part of this work is focused on the study and optimization of functionalized polypropylenes as compatibilizers and an optimized PP-graft-maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA), having significantly higher graft content than classic PP-g-MAs, was selected. The synthesis and characterization of carboxylate clays is fully investigated in view to examine alternatives to alkylammonium clays for the preparation of PP/clay nanocomposites. Carboxylate clays are more thermally stable than a classic alkylammonium clay and do not degrade at extrusion temperature. The elaboration of PP/(organo)clay nanocomposites is also investigated through a water-assisted extrusion process. The use of water injection during the production of nanocomposites showed a remarkable effect in increasing the clay dispersion. At last, the traditional elaboration of PP/clay nanocomposites is revisited by using the knowledge developed in this work. PP/clay nanocomposites were processed through a one-step water-assisted extrusion method using optimized PP-g-MA compatibilizers, carboxylate salts and native clay.
Affiliations

Citations

  • APA
  • Chicago
  • FWB

Rousseaux, D. (2010). Polypropylene/clay nanocomposites revisited. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/148379