Resistance to Thermal Degradation of Polypropylene in Presence of Nano Zinc Oxide

Abstract

Polypropylene/zinc oxide composites were prepared using melt mixing method and made into sheets using compression moulding. 0–5 wt% of zinc oxide (ZnO) with different crystallite sizes were incorporated into the polypropylene (PP). Mechanical properties of the PP were increased by the addition of ZnO. Morphology of the composites showed good dispersion of ZnO in the composites. Thermal ageing was carried out on neat PP and composites for 24 hrs. Mechanical properties of the PP and composites were decreased after thermal ageing. However composites showed increased properties compared to neat PP even after thermal ageing. IR studies indicated better thermal stability of PP in presence of ZnO. PP filled with less crystallite size ZnO showed better properties compared to PP filled with high crystallite size ZnO and neat PP.