In this study, Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and Thermoplastic Starch (TPS) reinforced with different amounts of Starch Nanocrystals (SNCs) with and without Dicumyl Peroxide (DCP) were blended in an internal mixer. The XRD results showed that crystallinity decreases with increasing SNC content with and without DCP. Tensile test results showed that elongation at breaking, tensile strength, and elastic modulus are lower than that of neat LDPE, whereas, the elastic modulus for the LDPE/TPS/SNC5%/DCP is higher than that of LDPE. AFM showed a decrease in the roughness of the surface after the addition of SNC and the surface become less rough after DCP addition.

In this study low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/thermoplastic starch (TPS)/nanoclay (O-Mt) nanocomposites were prepared by a melt blending process using a Brabender mixer. Dicumyl peroxide (DCP) and nanoclay (O-Mt) were studied to improve interfacial adhesion and to obtain the various desired properties of the nanocomposites. The structure and properties of the materials were studied by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and by tensile and Izod impact tests. X-ray diffraction analysis of the nanocomposites showed that the characteristic peaks of the clay were shifted to the lower angles, indicating an intercalated structure in the presence of dicumyl peroxide (DCP). The TGA curve indicated an improvement in the thermal stability of the materials with the amount of silicate and DCP. The mechanical properties of the materials were improved as a consequence of the increase in phase adhesion which gave an improvement in crystallinity confirmed by DSC. In addition, the impact strength of the modified materials was improved compared to the original materials. A modification of morphology as well as roughness was demonstrated by SEM and AFM.

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This paper presents preliminary results of modified Montmorillonite samples and the surface treatment with hydrochloric acid were investigated. The modification of this Montmorillonite surface, negatively charged and exchanged by organic cations such as alkylammoniums (Trimethylexadecyl C16 and Trimethyloctadecyl C18), yields a modified Montmorillonite (MMt). The resulting organo-mineral material acquires an organophilic character which could be used in several applications. The organically modified MMts were prepared by an ion exchange process in which sodium ions were replaced by alkylammonium ions. This material, used in the present work, is an Algerain montmorillonite obtained from MAGHNIA (West Algeria). Octadecyltrimethylammonium and hexadecyltrimethylammonium chlorides, utilized here as surfactants activators to organophilize the Montmorillonite. The microstructure of this modified Montmorillonite was characterized by XRD-diffraction with which the effects of the intercalation associated to the conformation of the long hydrocarbon chain were investigated. The results obtained showed that the amounts of hydrochloric acid added to these modified materials affect considerably the conformation of the intercalated surfactants. Their physical characteristics were determined by infrared spectrophotometer (FT-IR) and their chemical modification revealed that their thermal properties have been advantageously improved.