Titanium Dioxide and Calcium Sulfate Whiskers Are Used for the Preparation of High Performance Polypropylene and...

The anti-aging agent TiO₂-polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and the mechanical strengthening agent CSW-PAN were prepared by radical polymerization using rutile nano-titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and anhydrous calcium sulfate whisker (CSW) as raw materials. The structures of TiO₂-PAN and CSW-PAN were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Simultaneously, the mechanical properties, aging properties, and thermal stability of TiO₂-PAN/CSW-PAN/polypropylene (PP) composites were studied, and the results showed that the surfaces of nano-titanium dioxide and calcium sulfate whiskers were successfully grafted with acrylonitrile. Owing to the introduction of new elements, such as acrylonitrile, nano-titanium dioxide and calcium sulfate whiskers have anti-aging properties. In comparison of the impact strength and tensile strength of TiO₂-PAN/PP and TiO₂-PAN/CSW-PAN/PP before aging, it can be proven that adding CSW-PAN can significantly enhance the mechanical properties of TiO₂-PAN/CSW-PAN/PP. After 1000 h of aging, the tensile strength of the ternary composite TiO₂-PAN/CSW-PAN/PP was 19.88 MPa when the addition amount of TiO₂-PAN and CSW-PAN was 3%. Moreover, the impact strength of the ternary composite material TiO₂-PAN/CSW-PAN/PP after 1000 h of aging is even better than that of non-aging pure PP materials, proving that the service life of improved PP products is extended, unnecessary waste and environmental pollution can be relieved, and the needs of specific engineering fields can be met.