Effects of Electron Beam Irradiation on Mechanical and Thermal Shrinkage Properties of Boehmite/HDPE Nanocomposite Film.

Ju Hyuk Lee,Heon Yong Jeong,Sang Yoon Lee,Sung Oh Cho

doi:10.3390/nano11030777

Ju Hyuk Lee, Heon Yong Jeong + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11030777

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Abstract

Nanocomposites comprising high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and boehmite (BA) nanoparticles were prepared by melt blending and subsequently irradiated with electrons. Electron irradiation of HDPE causes crosslinking and, in the presence of BA, generates ketone functional groups. The functional groups can then form hydrogen bonds with the hydroxyl groups on the surface of the BA. Additionally, if the BA is surface modified by vinyltrimethoxysilane (vBA), it can covalently bond with the HDPE by irradiation-induced radical grafting. The strong covalent bonds generated by electron beam irradiation allow the desirable properties of the nanofiller to be transferred to the rest of the nanocomposite. Since EB irradiation produces a great number of strong covalent bonds between vBA nanoparticles and HDPE, the modulus of elasticity, yield strength, and resistance to thermal shrinkage are enhanced by electron irradiation.

Highlights

Polyethylene is widely used due to its low cost, high chemical stability, and ease of mass production relative to other polymers
The intrinsic properties of High density polyethylene (HDPE) can be enhanced by adding inorganic fillers, such as
The main issues of fabricating polymer nanocomposites exist in requiring the nanofillers to adhere well and be thoroughly dispersed within the polymer matrix

Summary

Introduction

Polyethylene is widely used due to its low cost, high chemical stability, and ease of mass production relative to other polymers. The implementation of smaller nanoparticles enhances the properties of polymer nanocomposites more potently; the reduction in particle size causes agglomeration to become an even greater problem. To address these issues regarding dispersion and interfacial adhesion, the surfaces of the nanoparticles are usually silanized [8,9,10,12,14,15,16,23]. Silane coupling agents have a polar end that generates covalent bonds with hydroxyl groups found on the nanoparticles. The silanization process becomes more effective with a greater presence of hydroxyl groups

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