Surface and Physical Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene/Poly (Butyl Methacrylate-co-hydroxyethyl Methacrylate) Blend Fiber

A series of polypropylene (PP)/poly (butyl methacrylate-co-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PBMA-co-HEMA) blend fibers were prepared by the melt-spinning method. The surface properties of the oil absorptive fibers were investigated for the first time by contact angle measurement in various liquids. The results indicate that as-prepared fibers, as a potential material for oil spill application, are both very hydrophilic and oleophilic. Surface energies were evaluated by the Zisman (28 kJ/m2 for surface energy of PP) and Owens-Wendt-Rabel-Kaelbel (28.9 and 0.3 kJ/m2 for dispersive and polar fraction of the 50-50 blend fiber, respectively) methods. A synergistic toughening effect between PP and PBMA-co-HEMA is presented by tensile measurement and micrographs. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) measurements demonstrate the limited partial compatibility of the two polymers. Moreover, the storage modulus of the blend decreases with increase in copolymer content.