Investigation the effect of various loads of organically modified montmorillonite on dyeing properties of polypropylene nanocomposites

Polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites having five different loadings of an organically modified montmorillonite, mineral clay was prepared by a melt mixing technique. The resultant PP nanocomposites were then uniformly dyed using three distinct disperse dyestuffs each at three concentrations. The enhanced dyeability of PP nanocomposite was characterized by spectrophotometric measurements. Good wash fastnesses were obtained after subjection of dyeing to a reduction clear process. It was found that increasing the clay content had a significant effect on dye uptake. Tensile strength tests showed improvements in mechanical properties. Degree of crystallinity of nanocomposites at various nanoclay loadings were investigated using differential scanning calorimeter. Surface behaviors of the resultant nanocomposites as well as the extent of exfoliation and dispersion of the nanoclay particles in PP were studied by various analytical techniques such as polarized optical microscope, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy analytical techniques. These showed intercalate/exfoliate structures in the resultant nanocomposites. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012