MWCNTs Supported N,N′-Dicyclohexyl-1,5-diamino-2,6-naphthalenedicarboxamide: A Novel β-Nucleating Agent for Polypropylene

N,N′-Dicyclohexyl-1,5-diamino-2,6-naphthalenedicarboxamide (NA), a highly efficient and selective β-nucleating agent for isotactic polypropylene (iPP), was synthesized and chemically supported on the surface of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) via an amidation reaction. The β-nucleation ability of NA, itself, is superior to the commonly used, highly efficient, and selective β-nucleating agents, e.g., commercial rare earth WBG-and aryl amide derivative TMB-5, as proved by the results of wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The effect of MWCNTs supported NA (MWCNT-NA) on the crystallization and melting behavior of iPP was investigated by means of WAXD and DSC. The results show that the MWCNTs supported NA can effectively induce the formation of β-crystals in iPP/MWCNT-NA, although the grafting degree of NA onto the surface of MWCNTs could still to be improved.