Effect of multilayered nanostructures on the physico‐mechanical properties of ethylene vinyl acetate‐based hybrid nanocomposites

Abstract

Exfoliated graphene oxide (GO) and Mg‐Al‐layered double hydroxides (LDHs) nanostructures (LDHs@GO)‐filled ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)‐based hybrid nanocomposites were prepared by solution reflux technique followed by injection molding. The physico‐mechanical (including morphological, thermal, and mechanical) properties of LDHs@GO‐based‐layered nanostructures and EVA/LDHs@GO (0‐1 wt%)‐based hybrid nanocomposites were analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, wide and low angle X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and mechanical (tensile and elongation at break) testing. The morphological studies revealed that LDHs sheets were homogeneously inserted in between GO sheets, while LDHs@GO‐based‐layered nanostructures were found to be easily exfoliated in EVA/LDHs@GO hybrid nanocomposites up to 0.7 wt% loading after which agglomeration occurred. The thermal stability of the hybrid nanocomposites was found to be improved at highest LDHs@GO loading of 0.7 wt%. Mechanical properties (tensile strength and elongation at break) of the hybrid nanocomposites were observed to be enhanced by 70 and 80%, respectively, at LDHs@GO loading of 0.7 wt% and highest values of mechanical properties were obtained. Though, the morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties of the composites were improved, the FTIR analysis did not reveal any chemical interaction between EVA and the LDHs@GO‐based‐layered nanostructures. From the overall results, it is obvious that a significant synergism was observed in terms of morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties of EVA/LDHs@GO hybrid nanocomposites with optimum (less than 1 wt%) loading of LDHs@GO‐based‐layered nanostructures. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:3519–3527, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers