This study focuses on understanding and optimizing the crystallization of lamella polypropylene (PP) on hybrid particles in graded composite materials under different rates of undercooling.  These hybrid particles consist of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) absorbed to alumina platelets, where the goal is to form lamella PP crystals on the SWNT nuclei.  The final hybrid <i>PP-SWNT-alumina</i> particle is then used as filler in the discontinuous filler composites (DFCs).  To determine the best conditions for crystallization, initial temperatures of the hybrid particle dispersion were recorded as well as the change in temperature once these particles are added to a crystallizing PP solution.  The PP crystal morphology and properties were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and microscopy (SEM). Initial results suggest that the cooling rate does not significantly affect the formation of PP lamella on the SWNT.  However, the quality of the lamella on the hybrid surface is varied as well as its coverage on the SWNT.  This poster will outline the results of this study by showing the effect of PP crystal formation on the hybrid particle and its influence on overall mechanical properties of the DFC, where PP lamella formation is critical to improve stress transfer properties within the composite.

Heterogeneous nucleation of lamella polypropylene on SWNT-alumina hybrid platelets for discontinuous composite reinforcement

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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