Synthesis and characterization of polyethylene-octene elastomer/clay/biodegradable starch nanocomposites

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 97; no. 1; pp. 397 - 404
• Main Authors: Liao, Hsin-Tzu, Wu, Chin-San
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 05.07.2005; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; clay; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; octane; polyethylene; Polymer industry, paints, wood; surfactant; Technology of polymers; Clay; Acrylic acid copolymer; Organic clay; Polymer blends; Graft copolymer; Montmorillonite; Olefin copolymer; Starch; Elastomer; Mechanical properties; Dispersion reinforced material; octane; Experimental study; Property processing relationship; Composite material; polyethylene; Thermal properties; Preparation; Ethylene copolymer; Oside polymer; Nanocomposite; surfactant
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628; 1097-4682
• DOI: 10.1002/app.21763

The aim of this work is the production of new nanocomposites from metallocene polyethylene‐octene elastomer (POE), montmorillonite and biodegradable starch by means of a melt blending method. Characterizations of clay, modified clay, POE, POE‐g‐AA, and the hybrids produced from polymer, clay, and/or starch were performed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry analyzer (TGA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Instron mechanical tester. As to the results, organophilic clay can be well dispersed into acrylic acid grafted polyethylene‐octene elastomer (POE‐g‐AA) in nanoscale sizes since cetyl pyridium chloride is partially compatible with POE‐g‐AA and allows POE‐g‐AA chains to intercalate into clay layers. Based on consideration of thermal and mechanical properties, it is also found that 12 wt % of clay content is optimal for preparation of POE‐g‐AA/clay nanocomposites. The new partly biodegradable POE‐g‐AA/clay/starch hybrid could obviously improve the elongation and the tensile strength at break of the POE‐g‐AA/starch hybrid since the former can give the smaller starch phase size and nanoscale dispersion of silicate layers in the polymer matrix. The nanocomposites produced from our laboratory can provide a stable tensile strength at break when the starch content is up to 40 wt %. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 397–404, 2005