Effect of Different Surface Modifications of Brazilian Attapulgite (ATP) on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of LLDPE/ATP Nanocomposites

Abstract

AbstractIn this work, Brazilian attapulgite (ATP) with different surface modifications is used as a mineral filler in the development of linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) nanocomposites. As a raw mineral, Brazilian ATP has many impurities in its structural channels (ATPr). Thus, sodium polyacrylate, hydrogen peroxide, and sulfuric acid are used to remove impurities from ATPr in a process called acid activation (ATPa). Also, inorganic materials do not have good interfacial interaction with organic polymers. Therefore, as an alternative to this challenge, two surface modifications are made to the ATPa: silanization (ATPs) and organophilization (ATPo). ATPr, ATPa, ATPs, and ATPo are characterized by FT‐IR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), XRD (X‐ray diffraction), TGA (thermogravimetric analysis), and FEG‐SEM (field emission gun scanning electron microscopy). The effectiveness of surface modifications is evaluated for LLDPE/ATP nanocomposites with the addition of 3 wt% ATP (ATPr, ATPa, ATPs, and ATPo) prepared by extrusion. The nanocomposites are analyzed by XRD, thermal characterization (differential scanning calorimetry—DSC), mechanical characterization (Shore D hardness, tensile test, and Izod impact strength), and morphological characteristics (SEM micrographs). It can be noted that the addition of treated ATP increases the mechanical properties. The silanization is more effective when compared to the organophilization treatment.