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In the last years, inorganic nanoparticles filled polymer composites have received increasing research interests of materials scientists, because the filler/matrix interface in these composites might constitute a much greater area and hence influence the composites properties to a much greater extent at rather low filler concentration as compared to conventional micro-particulate composites [1, 2]

in this study a composite material based on polypropylene and fumed silica nanoparticles were elaborated by melt compounding in an internal mixer, the effect of surface treatment of silica nanoparticles with the stearic acid (1Wt%, 2Wt%) and PP-greft-MAH as a compatibilizer (1Wt%, 2Wt%) on various properties of fumed SiO₂-filled polypropylene composites were studies.

The mechanical properties of polypropylene matrix reinforced with silica nanoparticles were determined by tensile and impact test. The reaction of maleic anhydride groups with the hydroxyl groups on the surface of nanosilica was characterized by FTIR spectrum. The final nanocomposites result in a further improvement of mechanical properties because of silica agglomerate reduction and improving interface combination, even loading level being much lower than that of ordinary fillers in conventional composites