An evaluation of modified Kaolinite surface on the crystalline and mechanical behavior of polypropylene

An approach for the surface modification of Kaolinite with two types of silane coupling agents is reported to investigate how structural chemical differences would influence the behavior of crystallization, crystalline structure and mechanical properties of polypropylene. Functionalization of Kaolinite showed that the mass ratio and the chemical structure of the silanes directly affected the mechanical and crystalline behavior of the polymer matrix. Compared to octyltriethoxysilane, functionalization with isobutyltrimethoxysilane led to an increase in the surface energy of kaolinite acting as a nucleating agent. This characteristic induced the formation of structures that gave the composite ductile behavior due to intra-spherulitic deformations under mechanical stress. These results have great potential to stimulate both research and industrial interest in the development of new materials based on a polypropylene matrix.