Dispersibility of silane‐functionalized alumina nanoparticles in syndiotactic polypropylene

Abstract The dispersibility of silane‐functionalized alumina nanoparticles (NPs) in syndiotactic polypropylene (sPP) was investigated. The Al 2 O 3 NP surface was modified with two different silane coupling agents, (3‐chloropropyl)triethoxysilane and (octyl)triethoxysilane, to create hydrocarbon groups, or their halogen derivatives, for the enhanced hydrophobic interaction with the sPP matrix. Transmission electron microscopy studies showed that the presence of hydrophobic groups improved the dispersibility of alumina NPs in the sPP matrix. A good dispersibility was found in both (3‐chloropropyl)triethoxysilane‐modified Al 2 O 3 /sPP nanocomposites and (octyl)triethoxysilane‐modified Al 2 O 3 /sPP nanocomposites. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.