Morphology of polymer/silicate nanocomposites - High density polyethylene and a nitrile copolymer

Abstract

Nanoscale composites of a modified silicate with either high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or a nitrile copolymer have been examined. Hydrophilic silicate clay was intercalated by ion exchange reaction of alkylammonium ions. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results revealed that so-modified silicate layers were finely dispersed in these polymeric matrices. Instead of being individually dispersed, most layers were found in thin stacks comprising several swollen layers. Greater dispersion was found in the nitrile copolymer rather than in HDPE, suggesting differences in the degree of physical interaction with the modified clay. Lamellar crystals of HDPE formed parallel to the silicate layers.