Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, Vol.54, No.26, 6698-6712, 2015
One-Step in Situ Modification of Halloysite Nanotubes: Augmentation in Polymer-Filler Interface Adhesion in Nanocomposites
Nanocomposites of chlorinated polyethylene/ethylene methacrylate copolymer (60/40 ratio) with augmented poly-frier filler interface adhesion were prepared by following a facile covalent modification of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs). The covalent modification Of the outer and inner lumen structures of HNTs were pursued by two different methods: in-situ ring opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone and silane modification using organosilane (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffreaction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and water contact angle Measurement manifests a successful organic covalent modification of the HNT surface. The synergistic mechanical properties of covalently poly(epsilon-caprolactone) modified HNT nanocomposites come from the ameliorated polymer filler interface interaction that tan be understood by the study of the "Pukanszky model" and dynamic mechanical analysis. The rheology study of nanocomposites help understand the polymer filler interaction. Good polymer filler adhesion leads to a better state of filler dispersion in the polymer matrix as evident from the "effective free-space length (L-f*)" of the transmission electron microscopy analysis, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy study of the nanocomposites.