Structure, morphology, and properties of LDPE/sepiolite nanofiber nanocomposite

Abstract

Sepiolite (SEP) nanofibers have been modified by grafting with poly(pentaerythritol diphosphonate dichloride‐hexamethylendiamine) (PSPHD) and compounded with low density polyethylene (LDPE) to form a nanocomposite. The various modified SEPs were characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis. The Fourier transform infrared and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy tests show that covalent bonding exists between SEP fiber and modifiers. The nanoscale size and morphologies of SEP fiber and modified SEP nanofibers can be observed clearly by TEM. The thermogravimetric analysis results reveal that the multi‐step thermal degradation process of SEP fiber is changed by grafting modification. The various LDPE/SEP nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron micrograph, TEM, dynamic mechanical analysis, and tensile test. The results suggest that a good interfacial modification effect has been obtained between PSPHD‐SEP and LDPE matrix. A particular improvement in tensile strength is reflected in tensile tests. Dynamic mechanical analysis shows that the storage moduli (E') of PSPHD‐SEP/LDPE nanocomposites are much higher than that of neat LDPE and a‐SEP/LDPE systems. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.