Nanocomposites of polypropylene with halloysite nanotubes employing in situ polymerization

Abstract

Halloysite was used in its original form and also modified with vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) or silicon chloride (SiCl4) for the synthesis of Ziegler–Natta catalysts supported on both magnesium chloride and halloysite. The polypropylenes synthesized with these catalysts were characterized as to their thermal properties and by dynamic mechanical measurements (DMTA). The results showed that throughout the investigated temperature range, the value of storage modulus (E′) of the PPs obtained with halloysite modified with SiCl4 was higher than that observed in the PP obtained without clay, as was the glass transition temperature. Therefore, good dispersion of natural halloysite nanotubes in the polymer matrix was obtained, as confirmed in the SEM micrographs.