Organophilic boehmite nanoparticles by ATRP methacrylates polymerization: synthesis, characterization and dispersion in Polypropylene

Boehmite nanoparticles covered with a polymer shell enhancing the organophilicity of the surface were prepared by physical adsorption of a polyelectrolyte atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) macroinitiator followed by graft-polymerization of methyl methacrylate or 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. The presence of polymer chains adsorbed/grafted on the Boehmite was confirmed by attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy and by thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), which showed a significant amount of polymer covering the particles. The methodology of polymerization and the kinetics suggested the possibility to modulate the amount, type and thickness of grafted polymer shell. These organic-inorganic hybrid materials were melt compounded in a Brabender mixer with isotactic polypropylene in the presence of functionalized polypropylene. The dispersion degree of Boehmite nanoparticles in the polypropylene matrix as well as their reinforcing effect were studied by morphology characterization [scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD)], whereas thermal and thermo-mechanical properties were assessed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA).