In vitro mechanical properties of metallocene linear low density polyethylene (mLLDPE) nanocomposites incorporating montmorillonite (MMT)

摘要

The viability of metallocene linear low density polyethylene (mLLDPE) nanocomposites is being investigated as a new material for biomedical application. The effect of filler loadings on the ambient and in vitro (after being exposed in oxidizing condition, 37°C) mechanical properties was studied. We observed that, the mLLDPE nanocomposites have higher mechanical property values as compared to the neat mLLDPE. Furthermore, these properties were less affected by the in vitro conditions. The best ambient and in vitro mechanical properties were achived when 3wt% of organically modified MMT (organo-MMT) was added into the mLLDPE. It was postulated that the presence of MMT layered structure introduced a more tortous path for the diffusing of oxidant molecules, thereby decreasing their permeability towards mLLDPE molecular chains. The smaller amount of oxidants entering the molecular chains resulted in greater retention of mechanical properties when tested in vitro. This preliminary biostability studies show promising properties of the mLLDPE nanocomposite which possess the potential to be further developed for biomedical devices.