Structural, thermal, and gas transport properties of HDPE/LLDPE blend‐based nanocomposites using a mixture of HDPE‐g‐MA and LLDPE‐g‐MA as compatibilizer

Abstract

Nanocomposites based on high density polyethylene (HDPE)/linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) blend were prepared by melt compounding in a twin-screw extruder using organoclay (montmorillonite) as nano-filler and a 50/ 50 wt% mixture of maleic anhydride functionalized high density polyethylene (HDPE-g-MA) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE-g-MA) as the compatibilizing system. The addition of a maleated polyethylene-based compatibilizing system was required to improve the organoclay dispersion in the HDPE/LLDPE blend-based nanocomposite. In this work, the relationships between thermal properties, gas transport properties, and morphology were correlated. The compatibilized nanocomposite exhibited an intercalated morphology with a small number of individual platelets dispersed in the HDPE/LLDPE matrix, leading to an significant decrease in the oxygen permeation coefficient of the nanocomposites. A decrease in the carbon dioxide permeability and oxygen permeability with increase of nanoclay was observed for the compatibilized nanocomposites. The carbon dioxide permeability of the compatibilized nanocomposites was lower than the carbon dioxide permeability of the uncompatibilized nanocomposites even with the low intrinsic barrier properties of the compatibilizer. These effects were attributed to a good dispersion of the inorganic filler, good wettability of the filler by the polymer matrix, and strong interactions at the interface that increased the tortuous path for diffusion. Theoretical permeability models were used to estimate the final aspect ratio of nanoclay in the nanocomposite and showed good agreement with the aspect ratio obtained directly from TEM images. POLYM. ENG. SCI.,

A simple mixing method for polyamide 12/attapulgite nanocomposites: structural and mechanical characterization

“…where k = 0.9, θ is the Bragg angle, and λ is the wavelength of the X-rays and using the values of β obtained from the equation β 2…”

“…The development of polymer matrix nanocomposites with the addition of mineral fillers is of great interest to the polymer industry. The mineral fillers are added to polymer matrix in order to improve the thermal, mechanical and thermomechanical properties, modifying the surface appearance and the processing characteristics and mainly reducing the costs of the polymer composition [1][2][3][4].…”

Improvement of mechanical properties of highly ZnO‐filled polyethylene composites by dual‐compatibilizer for hydrogen sulfide permeation inhibition

“…15,23 On other hand, in order to obtain good H 2 S-resistant ability, it is essential to introduce a great amount of fillers, which are not conducive to well dispersion in the polymeric matrix and acquirement of sufficient mechanical properties and high gas barrier properties. 11,15,23,24 Generation of reactive functional groups on the surface of inorganic fillers via modification by polydopamine or coupling agents such as silanes and introduction of maleic anhydride-grafted copolymers as compatibilizers are able to enhance the dispersion of the inorganic particles. 12,[23][24][25][26][27][28][29] Moreover, application of appropriate compatibilizers can increase the interfacial adhesion between the fillers and the polymer, which is favorable to improvement of tensile properties of composites.…”

“…11,15,23,24 Generation of reactive functional groups on the surface of inorganic fillers via modification by polydopamine or coupling agents such as silanes and introduction of maleic anhydride-grafted copolymers as compatibilizers are able to enhance the dispersion of the inorganic particles. 12,[23][24][25][26][27][28][29] Moreover, application of appropriate compatibilizers can increase the interfacial adhesion between the fillers and the polymer, which is favorable to improvement of tensile properties of composites. 28,29 For example, the tensile strength of 80 wt% ultra-highly wood fiber-filled polyethylene composites can be increased by 224% via using maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (PE-g-MAH) as the compatibilizer.…”

“…Besides, inorganic particles, especially in nanoscales, tend to agglomerate in the polymer matrix due to the tremendous surface area and high surface free energy 15,23 . On other hand, in order to obtain good H 2 S‐resistant ability, it is essential to introduce a great amount of fillers, which are not conducive to well dispersion in the polymeric matrix and acquirement of sufficient mechanical properties and high gas barrier properties 11,15,23,24 . Generation of reactive functional groups on the surface of inorganic fillers via modification by polydopamine or coupling agents such as silanes and introduction of maleic anhydride‐grafted copolymers as compatibilizers are able to enhance the dispersion of the inorganic particles 12,23–29 .…”