A Nd-containing coordination ploymer: syntheses, crystal structure and application as a nucleating agent for isotactic polypropylene

Abstract

A novel Nd coordination polymer [Nd(N-phgly)(Pha)(H₂O)](H₂O)₂ has been solvothermally synthesized and characterized crystallographically. It is a novel 3D framework supramolecular structure coordination polymer that contains two different carboxylate liqands N-phthaloylglycine (N-phgly) and phthalic acid (Pha). The complex was characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR spectra, X-ray single-crystal diffraction, a thermal gravimetric analyzer and powder XRD. It was incorporated into isotactic polypropylene (iPP). Then, the performance, non-isothermal crystallization behaviors, crystalline morphologies and optical properties of modified iPP were evaluated and studied. These results show that the complex is an effective and novel nucleating agent. It results in an increase in the overall crystallization rate and a decrease in the spherulite size of iPP. The Izod impact strength of NA–iPP is higher than the pure iPP. The addition of it makes the stiffness and impact resistance of iPP improve obviously. Meanwhile, the nucleated iPP displays a good balance between toughness and stiffness. Besides, the optical characteristics are also improved.