Surface modification of nanosilica for PP composites

Nanocomposites offer a high potential to create new and advanced properties in plastic materials. Nanoparticles are used to enhance mechanical, optical, electric, transport and surface properties of plastics. The high specific surface area of the nano-material produces great challenges in obtaining good dispersion of the filler and physical interaction with the polymer matrix, which both have impact in the resultant performance of the composite. Compatibility between of the filler nanoparticles and the matrix polymer is the key to overcome the above mentioned challenges. We should create surfaces properties which minimize particle-particle interactions and enhance the dispersion of particles in the matrix. In our work we have modified nanosilica particles by "grafting to" method using various chain lengths of vinyl terminated polyisobutene oligomers. To graft vinyl terminated chains on to surface of nanosilica various strategies can be exploited. Before the grafting process nanosilica particles can be treated by well known methods and the grafting can be an example of "one pot" process.