Preparation of Polyethylene/Layered Silicate Nanocomposites Using In Situ Polymerization Approach

Abstract

Abstract Summary: In this paper, preparation of polyethylene/clay nanocomposites (PECNC) by in situ Ziegler‐Natta catalyst polymerization was investigated. A Ziegler‐Natta catalyst was first supported on montmorillonite (MMT) type clay and subsequently used for polymerizing ethylene. Clay and clay supported catalyst were characterized by Fourier transmission infrared and ICP method. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy results show that silicate layers of the mineral clay in prepared nanocomposites were intercalated and exfoliated in the polymeric matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry results show that the prepared nanocomposites have higher crystallization temperature than pure polyethylene.