The effect of decahydronaphthalin on the mechanical properties of montmorillonite reinforced polypropylene nanocomposites

The exceptional property exhibited by nanoparticles such as carbon nanotubes and silicate layers has been the major drive for research into advanced nanocomposites. The solution method is used to prepare polypropylene/clay nanocomposites with loadings of 2% and 5%. Decahydronaphthalin was used to disperse the clay and dissolution of the polypropylene matrix. The intercalation of macromolecular chains into the organoclay was evident from XRD and confirmed by SEM studies. Decahydronaphthalin was observed to have a considerable effect on the polymer matrix properties and the tensile moduli of the nanocomposites compared to the pristine polypropylene. Tensile moduli of nanocomposite treated with decahydronaphthalin have been observed to be lower than those of pristine polypropylene. The moduli of both the 2% and 5% PP/clay nanocomposite was 528 MPa and 547 MPa respectively. The pristine PP had a modulus of 794 MPa and that of the PP dissolved in decahydronaphthalin alone was found to be 639 MPa.