HLDPE/organic functionalized SiO2 nanocomposites with improved thermal stability and mechanical properties

Abstract

Abstract High-pressure low-density polyethylene (HLDPE)/organic functionalized SiO2 nanocomposites were synthesized using melt-blending technique in a sigma internal mixer. The properties of the nanocomposites were studied using two different organic functional modifiers: diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) and triacetoxyvinylsilane. Reinforcing, thermal stability and toughening effects of organic functionalized nanosilica on the polymer matrix were found at loading of 2.5% nanosilica functionalized with 2.8% of DGEBA and silane coupling agent respectively. Organic functionalization on the nanosilica particle surface led to different microstructures when compared with that of the pure polymer. Organic functionalization on the nanosilica particle surface produced good interfacial adhesion and homogeneous dispersion in the polymer matrix, while the use of nanosilica resulted in aggregated silica particles in the polymer matrix. There was no significant improvement in thermal stability and mechanical properties when only nanosilica was added to the pure polymer. On the contrary, the addition of pretreated nanosilica with organic functional modifiers led to an increase of thermal stability from 313–363°C, elastic modulus and toughness from 0.12–0.18 GPa and 3.23–9.81 MJ/m3 respectively. Keywords: NANOSILICAORGANIC FUNCTIONALIZATIONTHERMAL STABILITYELASTIC MODULUSTOUGHNESS