Thermoplastic polyolefin based polymer – blend-layered double hydroxide nanocomposites

• Published in: Composites science and technology Vol. 68; no. 15; pp. 3234 - 3239
• Main Authors: Kuila, T., Srivastava, S.K., Bhowmick, A.K., Saxena, A.K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2008; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; B. Mechanical properties; Blend; Composites; D. TGA; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Layered double hydroxide; Nanocomposites; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; D. TGA; B. Mechanical properties; Nanocomposites; Blend; Layered double hydroxide; Polymer blends; Mechanical properties; Thermoplastic rubber; Dispersion reinforced material; Experimental study; Oxygen index; Composite material; Solvent resistance; Tensile strength; Thermal stability; Thermal properties; EVA; Aluminium Oxides; Low density ethylene polymer; Concentration effect; Olefin polymer; Nanocomposite; Chemical properties; Magnesium Oxides
• ISSN: 0266-3538; 1879-1050
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2008.08.003

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are a new class of promising nanomaterials which improve the physicochemical properties of the polymer matrix. The present work deals with the preparation of nanocomposites of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA-28)/low density polyethylene (LDPE) blend (1:1 by wt.) with varying amounts of organomodified layered double hydroxide (DS-LDH) by solution blending. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) have been used to find out the dispersion of Mg–Al nanolayers in EVA/LDPE blend. This confirms complete exfoliation of Mg–Al nanolayers in EVA-28/LDPE/DS-LDH nanocomposites. The measurements of mechanical properties of these nanocomposites show maximum tensile strength for 3 wt.% of DS-LDH content. However, elongation at break for the nanocomposites remains lower for entire filler loading with respect to neat EVA/LDPE blend. Thermogravimetric analysis shows successive improvement in the thermal stability behavior of the nanocomposites with increasing the concentration of DS-LDH. The limiting oxygen index values are also improved with increasing DS-LDH concentration. Swelling property measurement shows that solvent resistance properties of the nanocomposites are better at low filler loading.