Layered nanoparticles modified by chain end functional PE and their nanocomposites with PE

Layered materials (MMT, LDH) were successfully modified by chain end functionalized polyethylene via an ion exchange method. The samples were characterized by using elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The XRD results demonstrated that MMT was successfully exfoliated with the disappearance of [001] peak. For the LDH, the peak [003] moved to a low angle and greatly weakened, indicating that LDH was successfully functionalized and completely intercalated or exfoliated. HDPE/layered nanocomposites were obtained between HDPE and different content of functional layered materials. The SEM and TEM results of nanocomposites showed the layered materials were well dispersed in the HDPE matrix, with a particle size of 100−200 nm.