Enhanced Mechanical Toughness of Isotactic Polypropylene Using Bulk Molybdenum Disulfide

[Image: see text] Herein, we report the use of bulk molybdenum disulfide (MoS(2)) as the reinforcing agent to enhance the toughness of isotactic polypropylene (iPP). The iPP-MoS(2) nanocomposites with varying amounts of MoS(2) (0.1 to 5 wt %) were prepared by a one-step melt extrusion method, and the effects of MoS(2) on the morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties were evaluated by different instrumental techniques such as Raman, ATR-FTIR, UTM, TEM, TGA, and DSC. TEM images showed the uniform dispersion of multilayer MoS(2) in the polymer matrix, and XRD results suggested the formation of the β phase when a low amount of MoS(2) is loaded in the composites. Mechanical tests revealed a significant increase in the toughness and elongation at break (300–400%) in the composites containing low amounts of MoS(2) (0.25 to 0.5 wt %). Enhanced toughness and elongation in iPP could be related to the combined effect of the β phase and the exfoliation of bulk MoS(2) under applied stress. The thermal stability of the composites was also improved with the increase in MoS(2) loading. Direct utilization of bulk MoS(2) and one-step melt extrusion process could be a cost-effective method to induce high elasticity and toughness in iPP.