Bromination of UHMWPE surface as a method of changing adhesion to nanoparticles

• Published in: Materials today communications Vol. 14; pp. 65 - 71
• Main Authors: Borisova, R.V., Spiridonov, A.M., Okhlopkova, T.A., Nikiforov, L.A., Golikov, A.N., Shadrinov, N.V., Okhlopkova, A.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2018
• Subjects: Adhesion; AFM; Bromination; Electrokinetic potential; IR-spectroscopy; Nanoparticle; UHMWPE; UHMWPE; Nanoparticle; Bromination; AFM; Electrokinetic potential; Adhesion; IR-spectroscopy
• ISSN: 2352-4928; 2352-4928
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2017.12.014

[Display omitted] •Technology of UHMWPE surface modification by bromination is developed.•Bromination of UHMWPE surface increases adhesion to AlN nanoparticles by 3–4 times.•Addition of brominated UHMWPE increases the tensile strength of composites.•Dependence of polymer nanocomposites properties on electrokinetic potential of nanoparticles in processing media is found. Currently, one of the problems in creating polymer nanocomposites (PNC) is controlling the adhesive interaction between the nanoparticles (NPs) and the polymer matrix. This article researches the possibility of creating an agent that enhances the adhesion between the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and the surface of the nanoparticles by bromination of UHMWPE particles in carbon tetrachloride environment. Technology for bromination of UHMWPE powder surface has been developed. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) found that aluminum nitride (AlN) NPs adhesion to brominated UHMWPE particles is higher than with initial UHMWPE particles. Increased interaction between the NPs and UHMWPE is also confirmed by the results of physical and mechanical tests. In addition, a correlation was found between the stability of NPs in alignment and physical and mechanical properties.