Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is mainly used as a plastic shopping bag in everyday life. On the other hand, the wasted plastic bags become the main environmental concerns from the disposal in land and sea. In this study, virgin LDPE thin film is simulated to treat by heat in various temperature and time. The heat-treated LDPE is evaluated the mechanical properties and viscoelastic properties. In addition, the changes of long period which is the combination of crystalline and amorphous thickness layer are also investigated and find the relationship with mechanical properties. Figure 1 shows the relationship between Young’s modulus, long period, and inner structure morphology of virgin and heat-treated LDPE thin film. It can be found that the heat-treated LDPE at 100°C for 24 h shows the increasing of Young’s modulus as compared to the virgin LDPE thin film (V-LDPE). In addition, the long period of heat-treated LDPE is increased from V-LDPE which can be confirmed by the calculation from a small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and the morphology of inner structure which are investigated by an atomic force microscope (AFM). From this preliminary result, heat treatment on LDPE thin film affects to the changes of inner structure length and morphology which is related to mechanical properties. The further investigation on viscoelastic properties and ratio of crystalline and amorphous of inner structure will be investigated for extension of the understanding about the relationship between the changes of inner structure and the properties of LDPE. This study is expected to be a guideline to explain about the regeneration and degradation of LDPE properties which can apply to prolong the lifespan and decrease the amount of waste LDPE in environment.

Investigation of mechanical properties, viscoelastic properties, and inner structure changes from heat treatment on low-density polyethylene thin film

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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