Evolution of the Microstructure of PP-LDHs Nanocomposites during Melt Compounding: A Simulation Approach

In the context of polymer-based nanocomposites containing layered nanofillers, the achievement of good extents of dispersion and distribution of the embedded nanoparticles and, even more, the obtainment of intercalated and/or exfoliated structures through melt compounding still represents a persiste...

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Main Authors: Giulia Bernagozzi, Rossella Arrigo, Alberto Frache
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-12-01
Series:Polymers
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/16/1/70
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author Giulia Bernagozzi
Rossella Arrigo
Alberto Frache
author_facet Giulia Bernagozzi
Rossella Arrigo
Alberto Frache
author_sort Giulia Bernagozzi
collection DOAJ
description In the context of polymer-based nanocomposites containing layered nanofillers, the achievement of good extents of dispersion and distribution of the embedded nanoparticles and, even more, the obtainment of intercalated and/or exfoliated structures through melt compounding still represents a persistent challenge, especially in the case of anionic layered double hydroxides (LDHs)-containing systems and non-polar polymeric matrices. In this work, a simulation approach is proposed to evaluate the influence of the processing conditions on the morphology of polypropylene (PP)-based nanocomposites containing organomodified LDHs. In particular, the effect of the screw rotation speed and the feed rate on the final microstructure of the materials formulated through melt compounding in a twin-screw extruder was assessed. The rheological and morphological characterizations demonstrated that a more homogeneous morphology was achieved when high levels of both exploited processing parameters are selected. The results coming from the simulation of the processing were used to establish some relationships between the flow parameters and the microstructure of the nanocomposites, demonstrating that low residence times coupled with high local shear rates are required to ensure the achievement of homogenous morphologies, likely involving the occurrence of intercalation phenomena.
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spelling doaj.art-bf67a6aa13834ab3a768d357629ac4d42024-01-10T15:06:44ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602023-12-011617010.3390/polym16010070Evolution of the Microstructure of PP-LDHs Nanocomposites during Melt Compounding: A Simulation ApproachGiulia Bernagozzi0Rossella Arrigo1Alberto Frache2Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Viale Teresa Michel, 15121 Alessandria, ItalyDepartment of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Viale Teresa Michel, 15121 Alessandria, ItalyDepartment of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Viale Teresa Michel, 15121 Alessandria, ItalyIn the context of polymer-based nanocomposites containing layered nanofillers, the achievement of good extents of dispersion and distribution of the embedded nanoparticles and, even more, the obtainment of intercalated and/or exfoliated structures through melt compounding still represents a persistent challenge, especially in the case of anionic layered double hydroxides (LDHs)-containing systems and non-polar polymeric matrices. In this work, a simulation approach is proposed to evaluate the influence of the processing conditions on the morphology of polypropylene (PP)-based nanocomposites containing organomodified LDHs. In particular, the effect of the screw rotation speed and the feed rate on the final microstructure of the materials formulated through melt compounding in a twin-screw extruder was assessed. The rheological and morphological characterizations demonstrated that a more homogeneous morphology was achieved when high levels of both exploited processing parameters are selected. The results coming from the simulation of the processing were used to establish some relationships between the flow parameters and the microstructure of the nanocomposites, demonstrating that low residence times coupled with high local shear rates are required to ensure the achievement of homogenous morphologies, likely involving the occurrence of intercalation phenomena.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/16/1/70polypropylenelayered double hydroxides (LDHs)rheologymelt compoundingsimulation
spellingShingle Giulia Bernagozzi
Rossella Arrigo
Alberto Frache
Evolution of the Microstructure of PP-LDHs Nanocomposites during Melt Compounding: A Simulation Approach
Polymers
polypropylene
layered double hydroxides (LDHs)
rheology
melt compounding
simulation
title Evolution of the Microstructure of PP-LDHs Nanocomposites during Melt Compounding: A Simulation Approach
title_full Evolution of the Microstructure of PP-LDHs Nanocomposites during Melt Compounding: A Simulation Approach
title_fullStr Evolution of the Microstructure of PP-LDHs Nanocomposites during Melt Compounding: A Simulation Approach
title_full_unstemmed Evolution of the Microstructure of PP-LDHs Nanocomposites during Melt Compounding: A Simulation Approach
title_short Evolution of the Microstructure of PP-LDHs Nanocomposites during Melt Compounding: A Simulation Approach
title_sort evolution of the microstructure of pp ldhs nanocomposites during melt compounding a simulation approach
topic polypropylene
layered double hydroxides (LDHs)
rheology
melt compounding
simulation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/16/1/70
work_keys_str_mv AT giuliabernagozzi evolutionofthemicrostructureofppldhsnanocompositesduringmeltcompoundingasimulationapproach
AT rossellaarrigo evolutionofthemicrostructureofppldhsnanocompositesduringmeltcompoundingasimulationapproach
AT albertofrache evolutionofthemicrostructureofppldhsnanocompositesduringmeltcompoundingasimulationapproach