Thermal Stability and Flammability of Polypropylene-Silsesquioxane Nanocomposites

Abstract

This article presents a study of the thermal stability of polypropylene-based nanocomposites filled with tetrasilanolphenyl silsesquioxane (phPOSS). Nanofillers were introduced into a polypropylene matrix in three different amounts: 2, 5, and 10 wt.%. Investigations were carried out by means of thermogravimetric analyses conducted in inert and oxidizing atmospheres, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and flammability UL-94 test. The addition of phPOSS into the polymeric matrix increased thermal stability in comparison to neat iPP and introduced significant changes in the flammability of iPP/phPOSS nanocomposites.