Study on Morphology, Thermal and Physical Properties of Poly(trimethylene terephthalate)-Nano Silica Composite

Abstract

The morphology, thermal behaviour and melt viscoelastic properties of polytrimethylene terephthalate-nano silica containing 2, 4 and 8 % of nano silica were investigated. The blend samples were prepared by an internal mixer. The results obtain from DSC showed that the heat of crystallization (ΔH_cry) of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) matrix follows a decreasing trend with increasing the nano particle up to 8 % above which it begins to increase again. The decrease in ΔH_cry of the poly- (trimethylene terephthalate) can be related to strong interaction between PTT and nano particle surface. The crystallization temperatures (T_c) of the poly(trimethylene terephthalate) matrix increase with the increasing nano particle concentration but it decrease with increase 8 % of nano silica. Cryogenically fractured surface of the samples examined by SEM. The results obtain from SEM showed the samples containing 8 % of nano particle showed a great extent of agglomeration formed between the nano particles. The melt flow behaviour and viscoelastic properties were studied by using a rheometre mechanical spectrometer (RMS). The results obtain from RMS showed viscoelastic properties for poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and the samples containing 2 and 4 % of nano particle are almost similar while the sample containing 8 % of nano particle exhibits a pronounced viscosity upturn with high and nonterminal storage modulus at low frequency range.