The Effect of Nanoclay on the Morphology of Polymer/Bitumen Blend

In this work, the morphology of nanocomposites/bitumen blends was studied by fluorescence optical microscopy (FOM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Nanocomposites are prepared from organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT), polypropylene (PP) and a compatibilizer using a twin screw extruder, and then added to bitumen with the purpose to make a uniform dispersion of two phases. The results showed that the morphology of nanocomposite/bitumen blend with lower ratio of OMMT is exfoliated, but the morphology of the other with higher ratio of OMMT is intercalated. Nanoclay causes better dispersion of bitumen and polymer phases in each other. However, the uniformity of two phase dispersion depends strongly on nanocomposite morphology added to bitumen.

Keywords:

Nanocomposite , Bitumen , Polypropylene , Montmorillonite , Blend