Preparation of polypropylene/montmorillonite nanocomposites by intercalative polymerization： Effect of in situ polymer matrix functionalization on the stability of the nanocomposite structure

The copolymerization of propylene and 5-hexenyl-9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (5-hexenyl-9-BBN) has been conducted with an MgCl2/TiCl4 catalyst intercalated in an organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) with triethylaluminum (AlEt3) cocatalyst and diphenyldimethoxysilane (DDS) external donor. This polymerization process simultaneously results in both the exfoliation of MMT layers to realize the preparation of polypropylene (PP)/MMT nanocomposites and the implantation of reactive borane groups in the formed PP matrix. The polymer-borne borane groups have been able to undergo an effi-cient hydrolysis process under very mild reaction conditions (40℃, 3 h, in THF), introducing hydroxy groups into PP without sacrificing the polymerization-formed nanocomposite structure (the exfoliation of MMT). The resultant hydroxyl-functionalized PP/MMT nanocomposites exhibit enhanced structural stability against processing compared with those based on unfunctionalized PP matrix.

Preparation of polypropylene/montmorillonite nanocomposites by intercalative polymerization: Effect of in situ polymer matrix functionalization on the stability of the nanocomposite structure

The copolymerization of propylene and 5-hexenyl-9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (5-hexenyl-9-BBN) has been conducted with an MgCl₂/TiCl₄ catalyst intercalated in an organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) with triethylaluminum (AlEt₃) cocatalyst and diphenyldimethoxysilane (DDS) external donor. This polymerization process simultaneously results in both the exfoliation of MMT layers to realize the preparation of polypropylene (PP)/MMT nanocomposites and the implantation of reactive borane groups in the formed PP matrix. The polymer-borne borane groups have been able to undergo an efficient hydrolysis process under very mild reaction conditions (40°C, 3 h, in THF), introducing hydroxy groups into PP without sacrificing the polymerization-formed nanocomposite structure (the exfoliation of MMT). The resultant hydroxyl-functionalized PP/MMT nanocomposites exhibit enhanced structural stability against processing compared with those based on unfunctionalized PP matrix. Supported by “One Hundred Talents Program” of the Chinese A cademy of Sciences, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20304017, 50373408 and 50573081) and National “973” Project (Grant No. G2003CB615605)