HDPE/Clay Nanocomposites: Effect of Premixing Conditions and Organo-Functionalization of the Clay

摘要

Polymer nanocomposites exhibit improved performance properties compared to pristine polymers and conventional composites due to the enhanced interfacial interactions between the polymer and the high surface area inorganic nano-particles. Layered silicates (clays) are amongst the most frequently used polymer nano-additives because of their abundance in nature, the relative ease of purification and their ability to be chemically and organically functionalized via simple ion-exchange reactions. The organo-clays are more easily miscible with the bulk polymer phase. Polymer/clay nanocomposites exhibit enhanced thermal and mechanical properties, low gas permeability rates and they are used in numerous applications1,2. In the present study, different types of (organo)clays were used for the preparation of HDPE/clay nanocomposites. The effect of clay functionalization with different organic moieties and of pre-mixing with the polymer by ball-milling was studied. The nanocomposites were tested for their mechanical and thermal properties.