SINGLE-STAGE AND SIMPLE FABRICATION OF PE FILMS DECORATED WITH HALLOYSITE NANOTUBES

Abstract

Background. Environmental pollution with plastic waste is a global problem that requires the search for effective and safe ways of disposal or processing of secondary raw materials. The use of catalysts for this purpose is a promising direction for research. Objective. In this work, a method of introduction of nanomaterials on the surface of a polyethylene film by partially dissolving the upper layer of the polymer in a heated nanomaterial suspension, namely aluminosilicate halloysite nanotubes in cyclohexane, was developed. Methods. Thermogravimetric, optical, and dynamic mechanical analyses of synthesised samples were carried out, and their properties were compared with reference samples of pure polyethylene and treated without the addition of nanomaterial. Results. It was achieved by the introduction of halloysite nanotubes in the amount of a maximum of 2.83 % by mass after immersion of the film in the suspension at a temperature of 50 °C for 120 seconds. The resulting film showed a wetting angle value of 77.11o, while for the reference sample without HNT it was 99.24o, which indicates the presence of hydrophilic nanotubes in the PE surface layer. Conclusions. At the same time, the synthesised samples showed a significant decrease in mechanical properties, such as elasticity and tensile strength, due to the destructive effect of the solvent on the polymer.