The viscoelastic, mechanical and morphological properties of polypropylene/exfoliated graphite nanocomposites with different contents of nanofiller were investigated. According to transmission electron microscopy results, the nanofiller particles were homogeneously dispersed in the matrix. The rheological properties indicated that incorporation of graphite improved the matrix stiffness and had a reinforcing effect. Exfoliated graphite had a weak interaction with the polypropylene. The behavior of the nanocomposites was similar to that of polypropylene in terms of the interfacial detachment inferred from the transmission electron microscopy images and of their G' (storage) and G'' (loss) moduli, and viscosity. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites compared to the matrix improved significantly for the flexural and storage moduli with little loss of impact strength.

Composite materials have attracted the attention of numerous researchers due to the distinct properties shown by this class of materials and the mineral clay used in their synthesis. In this study, conductive composites were obtained by mixing polyaniline (PAni) with clay (kaolinite and montmorillonite). The aniline was polymerized in a medium with clay and the powder was characterized by X ray diffraction, electrical conductivity and morphology. The results suggest PAni chain linearization in a kaolinite medium. The addition of montmorillonite resulted in PAni chain linearization and intercalation of mineral clay, although the montmorillonite was not pretreated. The PAni-clay composites showed an electrical conductivity of 0.01 S.cm-1, which appeared not to be influenced by the amount of clay used.