Preparation and study on thermal-oxydative resistant properties of silicone grafted polyethylene/nano-c1ay nanocomposite

Abstract

In this work. we carried out the grafting of vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) onto polyethylene (PE-g-VTMS) in melt state, in the presence of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as a initiator. Afterward, nanocomposites were prepared by blending ofPE-g-VTMS and nanoclay in Haake internal mixer. Analytical results of X-ray profiles and TEM images showed that the nanocomposites exists both ill intercalated and exfoliated forms. The TGA, DTA curves and the results of thermal-oxidative ageing at136"C during 168 h showed that PE-g-VTMS and nanocomposites are more thermaloxidative resistant than potyethylene due to formation of Si-O-Si bonds in the grafted polyethylenenetworks and barrier property of clay