The Effect of Feeding Method and Compatibilizer on Nanoclay Partitioning and Microfibrillar Morphology Development in PP/PBT/Organoclay Blend Nanocomposite Fibers

Abstract

The role of feeding method, as an important parameter in competition with thermodynamic parameters, on determining the nanoclay partitioning and its impact on microfibril formation in PP/PBT blend nanocomposite fibers were investigated. In the direct feeding method in which all components were fed into the extruder simultaneously, the major part of nanoclay with almost unchanged interlayer d-spacing was located in the PP matrix and the rest of the nanoclay partitioned into the PBT dispersed phase. However in the PBT based masterbatch method nanoclay, due to much greater melt intercalation occurred, remained in PBT droplets in the form of tactoids and/or platelets. In the masterbatch feeding method, incorporation of compatibilizer assisted more fraction tactiods and/or platelets to be transferred from PBT to the PP matrix while in the direct method it enhanced the extent of melt intercalation in the PP matrix. It was demonstrated that the nanoclay concentration in PBT droplets plays an important role in the extent of the microfibril formation during the melt spinning process. While at low organoclay loading (1 wt%) fine microfibrils could be formed in the fibers prepared by both methods of feeding, at higher organoclay loading (3,5 wt%) uniform microfibrils could hardly be developed in the fibers ,particularly, in the masterbatch feeding method due to high melt elasticity of the PBT droplets and uneven distribution of platelets and/or tactoids in the droplets.

Dual role of nanoclay in the improvement of the in-situ nanofibrillar morphology in polypropylene/polybutylene terephthalate nanocomposites

“…From the other hand, the compatibilizing role of nanoparticles causes the reduction of the diameter and increase in the aspect ratio of fibers. The same results were previously reported by Bigdeli et al 22,27,28 and C. B. Park et al 51,52 All of these result in the improvement of the melt strength and melt elasticity of blend, in the fiber spinning process

Figure 6.Scanning electron microscopy micrographs of the fully drawn yarn fiber samples (polypropylene/polypropylene grafted on maleic anhydride/poly butylene terephthalate/nanoclay) after etching with decahydronaphthalene for the nanoclay with the contents of 0 wt.

…”

“…chemical bonding or physical adsorption, restrict the mobility of the polymer chains. The same results were previously reported by Hajiraissi et al 15 and Bigdeli et al 22,27,28

Figure 5.Plots of the complex viscosity (a) and storage modulus (b) vs. frequency (ω) at 240°C for PP. (neat), PP/PP-g-MAH/PBT blend FDY fibers and PP/PP-g-MAH/PBT/clay nanocomposite FDY fibers (containing 0.5,0.75, 1 wt.% of nanoclay).

…”

“…From the other hand, the compatibilizing role of nanoparticles causes the reduction of the diameter and increase in the aspect ratio of fibers. The same results were previously reported by Bigdeli et al 22,27,28 and C. B. Park et al 51,52 All of these result in the improvement of the melt strength and melt elasticity of blend, in the fiber spinning process…”

“…chemical bonding or physical adsorption, restrict the mobility of the polymer chains. The same results were previously reported by Hajiraissi et al 15 and Bigdeli et al 22,27,28 As a result, the upturn of complex viscosity and the increase in the storage module at low frequencies region are yielded by the behavior of fibril-concentrated PBT fibers in the blend FDY fiber samples. These consequences led to the formation of a 3D physical structure organized among polymer chains, and the much greater melt interaction compared to the neat PP.…”

“…In the SAOS test for the blend and nanocomposite FDY fiber samples, it was observed that the mobility of the PP chains was limited, by an increase in the contact surface and the presence of the structure of PBT fibrils and rigid nanoparticles, which has led to an increase in the complex viscosity and melt strength of the PP matrix. 27,40,41 percolated nanoparticles network in the matrix, led to a plateau appearing in the storage modulus along with a complex viscosity upturn as reported in previous works. [42][43][44] Studies have shown that the incorporation of nanoclay into polymers can modify the rheological properties due to the formation of interfacial connections between the matrix polymer and the nanoclay surfaces; in fact, nanoclay has played a compatiblizing role.…”

Dual role of nanoclay in the improvement of the in-situ nanofibrillar morphology in polypropylene/polybutylene terephthalate nanocomposites

“…From the other hand, the compatibilizing role of nanoparticles causes the reduction of the diameter and increase in the aspect ratio of fibers. The same results were previously reported by Bigdeli et al 22,27,28 and C. B. Park et al 51,52 All of these result in the improvement of the melt strength and melt elasticity of blend, in the fiber spinning process

Figure 6.Scanning electron microscopy micrographs of the fully drawn yarn fiber samples (polypropylene/polypropylene grafted on maleic anhydride/poly butylene terephthalate/nanoclay) after etching with decahydronaphthalene for the nanoclay with the contents of 0 wt.

…”

“…chemical bonding or physical adsorption, restrict the mobility of the polymer chains. The same results were previously reported by Hajiraissi et al 15 and Bigdeli et al 22,27,28

Figure 5.Plots of the complex viscosity (a) and storage modulus (b) vs. frequency (ω) at 240°C for PP. (neat), PP/PP-g-MAH/PBT blend FDY fibers and PP/PP-g-MAH/PBT/clay nanocomposite FDY fibers (containing 0.5,0.75, 1 wt.% of nanoclay).

…”

“…From the other hand, the compatibilizing role of nanoparticles causes the reduction of the diameter and increase in the aspect ratio of fibers. The same results were previously reported by Bigdeli et al 22,27,28 and C. B. Park et al 51,52 All of these result in the improvement of the melt strength and melt elasticity of blend, in the fiber spinning process…”

“…chemical bonding or physical adsorption, restrict the mobility of the polymer chains. The same results were previously reported by Hajiraissi et al 15 and Bigdeli et al 22,27,28 As a result, the upturn of complex viscosity and the increase in the storage module at low frequencies region are yielded by the behavior of fibril-concentrated PBT fibers in the blend FDY fiber samples. These consequences led to the formation of a 3D physical structure organized among polymer chains, and the much greater melt interaction compared to the neat PP.…”

“…In the SAOS test for the blend and nanocomposite FDY fiber samples, it was observed that the mobility of the PP chains was limited, by an increase in the contact surface and the presence of the structure of PBT fibrils and rigid nanoparticles, which has led to an increase in the complex viscosity and melt strength of the PP matrix. 27,40,41 percolated nanoparticles network in the matrix, led to a plateau appearing in the storage modulus along with a complex viscosity upturn as reported in previous works. [42][43][44] Studies have shown that the incorporation of nanoclay into polymers can modify the rheological properties due to the formation of interfacial connections between the matrix polymer and the nanoclay surfaces; in fact, nanoclay has played a compatiblizing role.…”

Dual role of nanoclay in the improvement of the in-situ nanofibrillar morphology in polypropylene/polybutylene terephthalate nanocomposites

“…From the other hand, the compatibilizing role of nanoparticles causes the reduction of the diameter and increase in the aspect ratio of fibers. The same results were previously reported by Bigdeli et al 22,27,28 and C. B. Park et al 51,52 All of these result in the improvement of the melt strength and melt elasticity of blend, in the fiber spinning process

Figure 6.Scanning electron microscopy micrographs of the fully drawn yarn fiber samples (polypropylene/polypropylene grafted on maleic anhydride/poly butylene terephthalate/nanoclay) after etching with decahydronaphthalene for the nanoclay with the contents of 0 wt.

…”

“…chemical bonding or physical adsorption, restrict the mobility of the polymer chains. The same results were previously reported by Hajiraissi et al 15 and Bigdeli et al 22,27,28

Figure 5.Plots of the complex viscosity (a) and storage modulus (b) vs. frequency (ω) at 240°C for PP. (neat), PP/PP-g-MAH/PBT blend FDY fibers and PP/PP-g-MAH/PBT/clay nanocomposite FDY fibers (containing 0.5,0.75, 1 wt.% of nanoclay).

…”

“…From the other hand, the compatibilizing role of nanoparticles causes the reduction of the diameter and increase in the aspect ratio of fibers. The same results were previously reported by Bigdeli et al 22,27,28 and C. B. Park et al 51,52 All of these result in the improvement of the melt strength and melt elasticity of blend, in the fiber spinning process…”

“…chemical bonding or physical adsorption, restrict the mobility of the polymer chains. The same results were previously reported by Hajiraissi et al 15 and Bigdeli et al 22,27,28 As a result, the upturn of complex viscosity and the increase in the storage module at low frequencies region are yielded by the behavior of fibril-concentrated PBT fibers in the blend FDY fiber samples. These consequences led to the formation of a 3D physical structure organized among polymer chains, and the much greater melt interaction compared to the neat PP.…”

“…In the SAOS test for the blend and nanocomposite FDY fiber samples, it was observed that the mobility of the PP chains was limited, by an increase in the contact surface and the presence of the structure of PBT fibrils and rigid nanoparticles, which has led to an increase in the complex viscosity and melt strength of the PP matrix. 27,40,41 percolated nanoparticles network in the matrix, led to a plateau appearing in the storage modulus along with a complex viscosity upturn as reported in previous works. [42][43][44] Studies have shown that the incorporation of nanoclay into polymers can modify the rheological properties due to the formation of interfacial connections between the matrix polymer and the nanoclay surfaces; in fact, nanoclay has played a compatiblizing role.…”

Dual role of nanoclay in the improvement of the in-situ nanofibrillar morphology in polypropylene/polybutylene terephthalate nanocomposites

“…From the other hand, the compatibilizing role of nanoparticles causes the reduction of the diameter and increase in the aspect ratio of fibers. The same results were previously reported by Bigdeli et al 22,27,28 and C. B. Park et al 51,52 All of these result in the improvement of the melt strength and melt elasticity of blend, in the fiber spinning process

Figure 6.Scanning electron microscopy micrographs of the fully drawn yarn fiber samples (polypropylene/polypropylene grafted on maleic anhydride/poly butylene terephthalate/nanoclay) after etching with decahydronaphthalene for the nanoclay with the contents of 0 wt.

…”

“…chemical bonding or physical adsorption, restrict the mobility of the polymer chains. The same results were previously reported by Hajiraissi et al 15 and Bigdeli et al 22,27,28

Figure 5.Plots of the complex viscosity (a) and storage modulus (b) vs. frequency (ω) at 240°C for PP. (neat), PP/PP-g-MAH/PBT blend FDY fibers and PP/PP-g-MAH/PBT/clay nanocomposite FDY fibers (containing 0.5,0.75, 1 wt.% of nanoclay).

…”

“…From the other hand, the compatibilizing role of nanoparticles causes the reduction of the diameter and increase in the aspect ratio of fibers. The same results were previously reported by Bigdeli et al 22,27,28 and C. B. Park et al 51,52 All of these result in the improvement of the melt strength and melt elasticity of blend, in the fiber spinning process…”

“…chemical bonding or physical adsorption, restrict the mobility of the polymer chains. The same results were previously reported by Hajiraissi et al 15 and Bigdeli et al 22,27,28 As a result, the upturn of complex viscosity and the increase in the storage module at low frequencies region are yielded by the behavior of fibril-concentrated PBT fibers in the blend FDY fiber samples. These consequences led to the formation of a 3D physical structure organized among polymer chains, and the much greater melt interaction compared to the neat PP.…”

“…In the SAOS test for the blend and nanocomposite FDY fiber samples, it was observed that the mobility of the PP chains was limited, by an increase in the contact surface and the presence of the structure of PBT fibrils and rigid nanoparticles, which has led to an increase in the complex viscosity and melt strength of the PP matrix. 27,40,41 percolated nanoparticles network in the matrix, led to a plateau appearing in the storage modulus along with a complex viscosity upturn as reported in previous works. [42][43][44] Studies have shown that the incorporation of nanoclay into polymers can modify the rheological properties due to the formation of interfacial connections between the matrix polymer and the nanoclay surfaces; in fact, nanoclay has played a compatiblizing role.…”