Carbon nanotube manipulates crystallization kinetics and viscoelastic behavior of PP/EBC blends

Abstract Polypropylene (PP) offers numerous benefits to industrial applications due to its excellent processability and cost‐effectiveness. However, the widespread utilization of this commodity thermoplastic is constrained by its inherently low‐impact resistance. Herein, we suggest a ternary system...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Nariman Rajabifar, Payam Yazdandoost, Parnian Gholami Dastnaei, Amir Rostami
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:SPE Polymers
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/pls2.10162
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1832582709561524224
author Nariman Rajabifar
Payam Yazdandoost
Parnian Gholami Dastnaei
Amir Rostami
author_facet Nariman Rajabifar
Payam Yazdandoost
Parnian Gholami Dastnaei
Amir Rostami
author_sort Nariman Rajabifar
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Polypropylene (PP) offers numerous benefits to industrial applications due to its excellent processability and cost‐effectiveness. However, the widespread utilization of this commodity thermoplastic is constrained by its inherently low‐impact resistance. Herein, we suggest a ternary system with the addition of ethylene‐butene copolymer (EBC) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to improve the overall performance of PP. We unveil the role of MWCNTs on the crystalline behavior of the PP/EBC blends when various ratios are considered. The calculated half‐time crystallization from the Avrami equation indicates that 1.5 wt% MWCNTs accelerate the crystallization of the PP/EBC blend nearly threefold. The formation of a semisolid microstructure is also reported using the rheological measurements. An upturn in complex viscosity, along with a frequency‐independent storage modulus, indicates strong interactions between MWCNTs and polymer chains. We confirm such robust interactions by employing temperature ramp sweep on the prepared nanocomposites as the decomposition temperature of the materials shifts to higher values. The dynamic mechanical analysis further interprets the role of MWCNTs as compatibilizers by bridging the gap between the glassy temperature of PP and EBC components. Highlights Theoretical prediction of the MWCNTs localization in the PP/EBC blends. Depicting the solid‐like behavior and viscosity upturn of PP/EBC/MWCNTs. Decelerating polymer chain relaxation led by nucleation role of MWCNTs. Formation of larger and more imperfect crystals upon the addition of MWCNTs. Faster crystallization kinetics in the PP/EBC/MWCNTs nanocomposites.
format Article
id doaj-art-d4c83247bcd848d09c2f8a2c1c99ff6f
institution Kabale University
issn 2690-3857
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series SPE Polymers
spelling doaj-art-d4c83247bcd848d09c2f8a2c1c99ff6f2025-01-29T12:52:33ZengWileySPE Polymers2690-38572025-01-0161n/an/a10.1002/pls2.10162Carbon nanotube manipulates crystallization kinetics and viscoelastic behavior of PP/EBC blendsNariman Rajabifar0Payam Yazdandoost1Parnian Gholami Dastnaei2Amir Rostami3Department of Polymer Engineering and Color Technology Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic) Tehran IranDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Mahshahr Branch Islamic Azad University Mahshahr IranDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Mahshahr Branch Islamic Azad University Mahshahr IranDepartment of Chemical Engineering Persian Gulf University Bushehr IranAbstract Polypropylene (PP) offers numerous benefits to industrial applications due to its excellent processability and cost‐effectiveness. However, the widespread utilization of this commodity thermoplastic is constrained by its inherently low‐impact resistance. Herein, we suggest a ternary system with the addition of ethylene‐butene copolymer (EBC) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to improve the overall performance of PP. We unveil the role of MWCNTs on the crystalline behavior of the PP/EBC blends when various ratios are considered. The calculated half‐time crystallization from the Avrami equation indicates that 1.5 wt% MWCNTs accelerate the crystallization of the PP/EBC blend nearly threefold. The formation of a semisolid microstructure is also reported using the rheological measurements. An upturn in complex viscosity, along with a frequency‐independent storage modulus, indicates strong interactions between MWCNTs and polymer chains. We confirm such robust interactions by employing temperature ramp sweep on the prepared nanocomposites as the decomposition temperature of the materials shifts to higher values. The dynamic mechanical analysis further interprets the role of MWCNTs as compatibilizers by bridging the gap between the glassy temperature of PP and EBC components. Highlights Theoretical prediction of the MWCNTs localization in the PP/EBC blends. Depicting the solid‐like behavior and viscosity upturn of PP/EBC/MWCNTs. Decelerating polymer chain relaxation led by nucleation role of MWCNTs. Formation of larger and more imperfect crystals upon the addition of MWCNTs. Faster crystallization kinetics in the PP/EBC/MWCNTs nanocomposites.https://doi.org/10.1002/pls2.10162carbon nanotubecrystallinitymechanical propertiespolyolefinrandom copolymersrheology
spellingShingle Nariman Rajabifar
Payam Yazdandoost
Parnian Gholami Dastnaei
Amir Rostami
Carbon nanotube manipulates crystallization kinetics and viscoelastic behavior of PP/EBC blends
SPE Polymers
carbon nanotube
crystallinity
mechanical properties
polyolefin
random copolymers
rheology
title Carbon nanotube manipulates crystallization kinetics and viscoelastic behavior of PP/EBC blends
title_full Carbon nanotube manipulates crystallization kinetics and viscoelastic behavior of PP/EBC blends
title_fullStr Carbon nanotube manipulates crystallization kinetics and viscoelastic behavior of PP/EBC blends
title_full_unstemmed Carbon nanotube manipulates crystallization kinetics and viscoelastic behavior of PP/EBC blends
title_short Carbon nanotube manipulates crystallization kinetics and viscoelastic behavior of PP/EBC blends
title_sort carbon nanotube manipulates crystallization kinetics and viscoelastic behavior of pp ebc blends
topic carbon nanotube
crystallinity
mechanical properties
polyolefin
random copolymers
rheology
url https://doi.org/10.1002/pls2.10162
work_keys_str_mv AT narimanrajabifar carbonnanotubemanipulatescrystallizationkineticsandviscoelasticbehaviorofppebcblends
AT payamyazdandoost carbonnanotubemanipulatescrystallizationkineticsandviscoelasticbehaviorofppebcblends
AT parniangholamidastnaei carbonnanotubemanipulatescrystallizationkineticsandviscoelasticbehaviorofppebcblends
AT amirrostami carbonnanotubemanipulatescrystallizationkineticsandviscoelasticbehaviorofppebcblends