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).