Compatibilization of HDPE/organoclay nanocomposites by functionalized polyethylenes

Morphology of nanocomposites from ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers

AbstractNew nanocomposites have been prepared by melt-compounding from commercial ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers (EAA) of different molar mass, molecular structure (branched or linear) and AA concentration, and a Zn-ionomer, with three commercial clays containing different proportions of the same organic modifier (dimethyldi(hydrogenated tallow)ammonium ion). Their morphology has been preliminarily investigated by X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The nanocomposites showed disordered intercalated morphology, with an expansion of the average gallery height, which appears to depend quite strongly on the molecular architecture of the EAA, whereas the other investigated v…

Organoclay Nanocomposites from Ethylene-Acrylic Acid Copolymers

A study of the structure–property relationships for nanocomposites prepared by melt compounding from ethylene–acrylic acid copolymers of varied composition and molecular architecture, and organoclays modified with different ammonium ions has been made by DSC, POM, SEM, TEM, WAXD, and rheological and mechanical tests. Within the series of clays investigated, the best levels of dispersion were displayed by those organically modified with quaternary ammonium ions containing two long alkyl tails. The relevant nanocomposites were shown to possess mixed exfoliated and intercalated morphology. The spacing of the intercalated clay stacks, most of which comprise few silicate layers, was found to be …