The aim of this work was the purification and organophilization on a pilot scale of two types of bentonite clay (green and grey) with nonionic surfactant, and their application in nanocomposites with a Polypropylene (PP) matrix. The bentonitic clays were purified and then organically modified with a non-ionic surfactant to become organophilic, being referred to as CPO and VPO respectively, and characterized by Particle Size Analysis by Laser Diffraction (AG), chemical analysis by X-Ray Fluorescence (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). The results of AG and EDX showed significant reduction in the amount of sand and free silica in the form of quartz confirming that the clay was purified. The results of XRD and IR showed that the organophilization on pilot scale of the clays was successful. The composites containing 3phr of clay were characterized by XRD, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG) and mechanical properties. XRD results indicated that for the PP/E-GMA/CPO system a nanocomposite with an intercalated structure was formed. As for the PP/E-GMA/VPO system, a micro-composite was obtained. DSC results indicated that CPO and VPO clays did not affect the melting temperature of PP. TG results indicated that the CPO and VPO clays improved the thermal stability of PP. PP/E-GMA/CPO system showed the highest thermal stability. The mechanical properties of PP were not significantly improved with the addition of clay and compatibilizer. However they were not deteriorated.
Nanocomposite; organophilization; non-ionic surfactant; purified clay
