LAUSR

Polypropylene (PP)-based nanocomposites reinforced with three different organoclays (Dellite© 67 G, Cloisite© 20, and Cloisite© 30B) were prepared via melt-mixing in an internal mixer. The three organoclays differ essentially via their organic modifier and interlamellar distance. The nanocomposites microstructure was characterized at different scales through SEM observations, X-ray diffractometry, and rheological measurements. The influence of processing parameters such as rotor speed and mixing time was quantified. The results show that Dellite© 67 G and Cloisite© 20 present a good dispersion state, with an intercalation of the tactoids by the polymer chains and a good level of exfoliation. In contrast, whatever the processing conditions, Cloisite© 30B was not dispersed correctly in the matrix, showing neither intercalation nor exfoliation, even in presence of compatibilizer. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45053.