The role of interactions between halloysite nanotubes and 2,2′-(1,2-ethenediyldi-4,1-phenylene) bisbenzoxazole in halloysite reinforced polypropylene composites

Abstract

The electron transferring interactions between halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and 2,2′-(1,2-ethenediyldi-4,1-phenylene) bisbenzoxazole (EPB) was utilized to fabricate polypropylene (PP)/HNTs composite. Large HNTs aggregates are formed within the composites in the presence of EPB. The composites with EPB show substantially increased strength and modulus. The reinforcement mechanism of EPB incorporated PP/HNTs composites are elucidated to the combination of the stress transferring by the well dispersed HNTs and the energy dissipation by cracking the HNTs aggregates during the fracture process. © 2008 The Society of Polymer Science, Japan.