Silane coupling agents are widely used to improve the compatibility between nanoparticles and polymers. In this paper
the effects of nano-SiO2 modified by KH550
KH560 and KH792 silane coupling agents on the properties of polypropylene composites are studied by molecular dynamics simulation. The effects of coupling agent on the thermal
mechanical and electrical properties of polypropylene nanocomposites are discussed by analyzing the cohesive energy density
binding energy
free volume
and rotation radius. The results show that the thermal
mechanical and electrical properties of polypropylene nanocomposites are improved after the addition of silane coupling agent modified nano-SiO2. The silane coupling agent not only improves the compatibility between the nanoparticles and the polypropylene matrix
increases the cohesive energy density and the interfacial bonding force
but also affects the motion state of the molecular chain by changing the free volume
thereby changing the glass transition temperature
thermal conductivity
rigidity
toughness
relative dielectric constant and breakdown strength of the polypropylene nanocomposites. In addition
the alkyl coupling agent can also change the electrostatic potential distribution and band gap of nano-SiO2