Polymer nanocomposites exhibit improved performance properties compared to pristine polymers and conventional composites due to the enhanced interfacial interactions between the polymer and the high surface area inorganic nano-particles. Layered silicates (clays) are amongst the most frequently used polymer nano-additives because of their abundance in nature, the relative ease of purification and their ability to be chemically and organically functionalized via simple ion-exchange reactions. In the present work, the effect of clay functionalization with different organic moieties and of pre-mixing with the polymer by ball-milling was studied, aiming at the development of improved HDPE/clay nanocomposites. The ball-milling had a minor effect on the dispersion of nanolayers and consequently on the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. Both the structure of nanocomposites (always being intercalated and not exfoliated) as well as the mechanical properties depended on the type of organic modifier of the clay.

HDPE/clay nanocomposites: Effect of premixing conditions and organo-functionalization of the clay

245th National Meeting (2013)

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