New inorganic nanotubepolymer nanocomposites: improved thermal, mechanical and tribological properties in isotactic polypropylene incorporating INT-MoS2

Abstract

Environmentally friendly molybdenum disulfide (INT-MoS₂) inorganic nanotubes were introduced into an isotactic polypropylene (iPP) polymer matrix to generate novel nanocomposite materials through an advantageous melt-processing route. The effects of INT-MoS₂ content on the thermal, mechanical and tribological properties were investigated. The incorporation of INT-MoS₂ generates notable performance enhancements through reinforcement effects, highly efficient nucleation activity and excellent lubricating ability in comparison with other nanoparticle fillers such as nanoclays, carbon nanotubes, silicon nitrides and halloysite nanotubes. It was shown that these INT-MoS₂ nanocomposites can provide an effective balance between performance, cost effectiveness and processability, and should be of some interest in the area of multifunctional polymer nanocomposite materials.