Polypropylene Crystallinity Reduction through the Synergistic Effects of Cellulose and Silica Formed via Sol–Gel Synthesis
Shambilova G.K. Iskakov R.M. Bukanova A.S. Kairliyeva F.B. Kalauova A.S. Kuzin M.S. Novikov E.M. Gerasimenko P.S. Makarov I.S. Skvortsov I.Y.
October 2024Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Polymers
2024#16Issue 20
This study focuses on the development of environmentally sustainable polypropylene (PP)-based composites with the potential for biodegradability by incorporating cellulose and the oligomeric siloxane ES-40. Targeting industrial applications such as fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing, ES-40 was employed as a precursor for the in situ formation of silica particles via hydrolytic polycondensation (HPC). Two HPC approaches were investigated: a preliminary reaction in a mixture of cellulose, ethanol, and water, and a direct reaction within the molten PP matrix. The composites were thoroughly characterized using rotational rheometry, optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and dynamic mechanical analysis. Both methods resulted in composites with markedly reduced crystallinity and shrinkage compared to neat PP, with the lowest shrinkage observed in blends prepared directly in the extruder. The inclusion of cellulose not only enhances the environmental profile of these composites but also paves the way for the development of PP materials with improved biodegradability, highlighting the potential of this technique for fabricating more amorphous composites from crystalline or semi-crystalline polymers for enhancing the quality and dimensional stability of FDM-printed materials.
cellulose , composites , crystallinity , dynamic thermomechanical analysis , oligosiloxanes , polycondensation , polypropylene , rheology , sol–gel synthesis
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Institute of Petrochemical Engineering and Ecology named after N.K, Atyrau Oil and Gas University named after S, Atyrau, 060027, Kazakhstan
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Kh. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University, Atyrau, 060011, Kazakhstan
Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Satbayev University, Satbayev Street, 22, Almaty, 050013, Kazakhstan
A.V. Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation
Department of Chemistry, New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, 87701, NM, United States
Institute of Petrochemical Engineering and Ecology named after N.K
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
A.V. Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis
Department of Chemistry
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