High-Performance Polypropylene-Clay Nanocomposites by In-situ Polymerization with Metallocene/Clay Catalysts

Abstract

A novel in-situ polymerization approach has been used to manufacture polyolefin–clay nanocomposites (see Figure) with amazingly enhanced performance. The nanocomposites demonstrate reduced thermal expansion coefficients, improved melt flow strengths, increased heat-distortion temperatures, and lowered gas diffusion coefficients. Their improved Young’s modulus may help these composites to compete with expensive engineering plastics.