iPP based nanocomposites filled with calcium carbonate nanoparticles: Structure/properties relationships

Isotactic polypropylene (iPP) based nanocomposites filled with calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CaCO3) were prepared by melt mixing and structure-properties relationships of the nanomaterials were studied. Elongated CaCO3 nanopowders coated with two different coating agents, polypropylene-maleic anhydride graft copolymer (iPP-g-MA) and fatty acids (FA), were tested as nanoreinforced phases. The influence of surface treatment of the nanoparticles on the polymer/nanofillers interfacial adhesion and on the final materials properties was investigated. Morphological analysis showed that the selected coating agents induce different iPP/nanofiller adhesion degrees. Young's modulus increases as a function of the nanoparticles content and the coating agent nature. Finally, all the prepared nanocomposites showed a significant improvement of iPP barrier properties either to oxygen or to carbon dioxide.