Effect of titanium dioxide on the properties of polyethylene/TiO_2 nanocomposites

摘要

In this paper, we report the surface modification of titanium dioxide (TiO_2) nanoparticles with vinyltri-methoxysilane (VTMS) and their use as filler for fabricating LDPE/TiO_2 nanocomposites. FTIR and FESEM analyses indicated successful grafting of VTMS on the surface of TiO_2 nanoparticles and good dispersibil-ity and adhesion of the modified nanoparticles in the LDPE matrix respectively. Tensile test also showed improved mechanical properties of LDPE/modified TiO_2 nanocomposites in comparison to the original, LDPE/unmodified samples. With the accelerated weathering test, it was shown that the anatase TiO_2 nanoparticles could degrade composite matrix more pronouncedly than the rutile TiO_2 nanoparticles did.