Crystallization behaviors and mechanical performance of polypropylene/tetrapod‐shaped zinc oxide whisker composites

AbstractPolypropylene (PP)/tetrapod‐shaped zinc oxide whisker (T‐ZnOw) composites are prepared via a melt‐mixing method in combination with a Haake rheometer. Differential scanning calorimetery (DSC) is used to investigate the nonisothermal and isothermal crystallization behaviors of the composites. Crystalline morphology is observed using hot‐stage optical microscopy, and the mechanical performance of the composites is investigated. Results indicate that T‐ZnOw has no heterogeneous nucleation effect on PP; in fact, it retards the growth of the crystal. Filled T‐ZnOw in PP matrix decreases the peak crystallization and melting temperatures of PP. T‐ZnOw shows either a reinforcing or toughening effect on the PP matrix at very lower weight ratios. These effects, however, decline with increasing T‐ZnOw contents because the size of the spherulitic crystals becomes bigger. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012