Photo-oxidative degradation of polypropylene/montmorillonite nanocomposites

The photo-oxidative behavior of the polypropylene (PP)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites and microcomposites has been investigated upon ultraviolet exposure using the technique of infrared spectroscopy. The rate of photo-oxidative degradation of PP/MMT nanocomposites is much faster than that of pure PP. The influence of pristine MMT, alkylammonium and compatibilizer were investigated, respectively. All these components can catalyze the photo-oxidation of PP matrix, in which the influence of compatibilizer and pristine MMT is primary. Moreover, the dispersion state of the clay particles in the polymer matrices has a little influence on the photo-oxidative degradation of polymer matrix. Consequently, an integrated catalysis mechanism of the photo-oxidative degradation of PP clay nanocomposite is proposed. It would provide benefit direction for the preparation and usage of polymer layered silicate nanocomposites (PLSN). (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.