Intercalated structure of polypropylene/in situ polymerization-modified talc composites via melt compounding

Talc was modified with methyl methacrylate (MMA) or butyl acrylate (BA) via in situ polymerization. The talc/isotactic polypropylene (PP) composites with nano-sized intercalated structure were formed by melt compounding of PP with the modified talc. The results showed that the talc layers were partially delaminated, aligned along the flow direction, and uniformly dispersed in the PP matrix. The thickness of the PMMA-modified talc layers in the PP matrix was in the range 80–240 nm, while the PBA-modified talc was even thinner. PMMA or PBA macromolecules attached on the surface of talc layers hindered the crystallization of the PP component. Moreover, the aligned pristine talc layers promoted the orientation of the PP crystals. However, the extent of PP crystal orientation decreased in the presence of PMMA or PBA-modified talc.