Compatibilization of PP/EVA blends with organo-functionalized nanosilica

• Grant number: 11/05817-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2011
• End date: July 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Leonardo Bresciani Canto
• Grantee: Leonardo Bresciani Canto
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Immiscible polymer blends of polypropylene (PP) matrix with ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) as disperse phase compatibilized with organo-functionalized silica nanoparticles (SiO2) will be obtained by melting processing. The effects of surface treatment (organo-functionalization) of nanosilica and processing variables on the phase morphology and mechanical properties of the blends will be evaluated. Fumed nanosilica (40 nm) will be organo-functionalized with octyl groups by surface treatment with octyl-trietoxy-silano compound. PP/EVA/nanoSiO2 blends will be prepared in a twin-screw extruder followed by injection molding. The phase morphologies of the blends will be characterized by scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) will provide further information on the phase morphology and interface of the blends. The mechanical properties of the blends will be evaluated by tensile strength, impact strength and heat deflection temperature (HDT) tests. The main scientific challenge is to establish a correlation between processing conditions, phase morphology and mechanical properties of PP/EVA blends compatibilized with organanically functionalized nanoSiO2, based on the results and theories. The main technological challenge is the toughening of PP through the development of compatibilized PP/EVA/nanoSiO2 blends with fine and stabilized phase morphology, within a wide processing window, consistent with industrial manufacturing processes. These requirements are essential to applications of these materials in packaging and technical parts. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CANTO, L. B.. Aspects regarding the efficiency of nanosilica as an interfacial compatibilizer of a polypropylene/ethylene vinyl-acetate immiscible blend. Polymer Testing, v. 73, p. 135-142, FEB 2019. (11/05817-0)

CANTO, L. B.. On the coarsening of the phase morphology of PP/EVA blends during compounding in a twin screw extruder. Polymer Testing, v. 34, p. 175-182, APR 2014. (11/05817-0)