Nucleation
Some nano fillers have a nucleation effect on the crystallization of polymers, i.e. the number of nuclei is increased and the crystallization time of the sample reduced. Additionally the size of the crystalline superstructures, e.g. spherulites, decreases and the transparency of the sample might be improved.
The example shows isotactic polypropylene with different amounts of the nano filler "Disperal® 20" (Sasol). With increasing filler content the size of the crystalline superstructures is clearly reduced.
0% Disperal®
1% Disperal®
2% Disperal®
10% Disperal®