Preparation and characterization of polycarbonate/poly(propylene)/ attapulgite ternary nanocomposites with the morphology of encapsulation

Ternary nanocomposites based on polycarbonate (PC), poly(propylene) (PP), and attapulgite (AT) were prepared via the method of two-step melt blending, by which the AT was blended with PP prior to compound with PC. Structure and properties of the ternary PC/PP/AT nanocomposites were investigated. The degradation of PC triggered by AT during direct blending process can be inhibited effectively by using two-step melt blending. It was found that the morphology of encapsulation structure like sandbag was formed in PC matrix, where PP encapsulated AT fibrillar single crystals. DSC experiments showed that in PC/PP/AT ternary nanocomposites, AT had a strong heterophase nucleation effect on PP, resulting in the enhancement of crystallization degree and the crystallization temperature of PP. DMA and mechanical property results showed that the ternary nanocomposites exhibited good balanced toughness and stiffness.