Interfacial interaction in Al(OH)3/polypropylene composites modified by in situ-functionalized polypropylene

To investigate the interfacial interaction of AI(OH)(3)/polypropylene (PP) composites modified by in situ-functionalized polypropylene (FPP), AI(OH)(3)/polypropylene (PP) composites containing a low AI(OH)3 content, modified by in situ-grafted acrylic acid, were prepared by a one-step melt-extrusion process. The effect of in situ FPP on the crystallization and melting behavior, crystalline morphology of the composites, and interfacial interaction between the filler and PP was investigated. The crystallization and melting behavior and crystalline morphology of PP in the composites depended upon the interfacial physical [heterogeneous nucleation of AI(OH)(3); cocrystallization and compabilitization of PP with in situ FPP] and the interfacial chemical interaction between both the components in the composites. FTIR results indicated that there exists a chemical reaction between AI(OH)(3) and in situ FPP. (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Inc.