Effect of Coupling Agent on Organoclay Dispersion in Polyethylene/Organoclay Nanocomposites for Packaging Industry

Haydar Zaman; Ruhul A. Khan

Abstract

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is one of the most widely used polymers in various fields, but due to the hydrophobic nature of LDPE, it is hard to prepare an LDPE/clay nanocomposite. In this article, an LDPE/organoclay nanocomposite, which can be used in the packaging industry, was prepared by melt-blending organoclay with a polymer matrix (LDPE) and compatibilizer, low molecular weight oxidized polyethylene. The influences of organoclay, and compatibilizer during melt mixing method on the morphology, mechanical, thermal, and fire-retardant features of ternary nanocomposite specimens based on LDPE were investigated. Morphology, mechanical, thermal, and fire-retardant features were examined and inveterate by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), tensile tests, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and combustible tests, respectively. TEM photomicrographs inveterate that the compatibilized had intercalated layers of organoclay. Maximum rise in basal spacing was observed for ternary nanocomposites with interlayer spacing of 37.3A˚ in LDPE/5 wt% C20A/15 wt% oxidized polyethylene nanocomposites. Static mechanical tests have shown that the addition of organoclay in LDPE has considerably enhanced tensile strength and tensile modulus with less elongation at break than base polymer LDPE. The addition of oxidized polythene to LDPE/organoclay increases the tensile properties of the nanocomposite. The enhancement for LDPE was 55% for tensile strength and 68% for tensile modulus. However, the addition of organoclay and compatibilizer to the PP matrix significantly improved the crystallization/melting behavior of the samples and the crystallinity of the nanocomposite improved with increasing compatibilizer content. Significant enhancements in fire retardant features have been identified for ternary nanocomposites.Keywords : Low-density polyethylene, compatibilizer, organoclay, mechanical properties, fire retardant features

Effect of Coupling Agent on Organoclay Dispersion in Polyethylene/Organoclay Nanocomposites for Packaging Industry

Abstract

Read more of it

Publish your article

Abstract

Related articles

Advanced Magnesium-Based Metallic GlassComposites for Biomedical Implant Applications: AMachine-Learning-Informed Approach

Revolutionizing Bone Grafting: A Survey of 3D Printed Solutions

Virgin-Recycled Thermoplastic Matrix Systems as Engineered Composite Materials: A Compositional Framework for Mechanical Property Retention in Secondary Polymer Supply Chains

A review on Biochar and its Nanocomposites for Removal of Toxics from Wastewater

Mechanical and Thermal Characterization of Natural Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites for Structural Applications

Catalytic Applications of Carbon Nanodots

Read more of it

Publish your article