Release of micro- and nanoparticles from a polypropylene/clay nanocomposite, a methodology for controlled degradation and evaluation

• A methodology was developed for qualitative assessment and characterisation of particle losses from nanocomposites during service life. The methodology can be generalised to other systems where the material fragments during ageing and can be extended to quantitative analysis. A chamber was constructed for ageing of selected materials, which enabled effective collection and subsequent analysis of released particles. A combination of scanning and transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was found to be suitable for characterising particles in terms of size, shape and content. The methodology was tested on a common nanoclay composite with polypropylene as the matrix. There was no need for physical/mechanical wear to generate particles, slow flow of air and elevated temperature led to cracking and fragmentation of the material, and subsequent release of nanocomposite particles containing embedded or protruding clay. The release of pure clay particles and polypropylene particles was also detected. Using the methodology, it was observed that even in ‘mild’ degradation conditions (pure thermo-oxidation with no wear), fillers and nanocomposite particles can be released to the environment, which is an environmental and health concern. © 2021 The Authors

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Materialteknik -- Kompositmaterial och -teknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Materials Engineering -- Composite Science and Engineering (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Kemiteknik -- Polymerteknologi (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Chemical Engineering -- Polymer Technologies (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Ageing

Clay

Microparticles

Microplastics

Nanocomposite

Release

Energy dispersive spectroscopy

High resolution transmission electron microscopy

Microplastic

Particle size analysis

Polypropylenes

Scanning electron microscopy

Thermooxidation

Wear of materials

Clay nanocomposites

Controlled degradation

Micro- and nano-particles

Nanocomposite particle

Particle loss

Qualitative assessments

Qualitative characterization

Nanocomposites

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)