The synthesis and characterization of linear low density polyethylene - GTC4 synthetic clay nanocomposites

An organo clay and Linear Low Density Polyethylene - clay nanocomposites were successfully synthesized. The organo clay was produced from a commercial GTC4 synthetic clay through an intercalated ultrasonic method using Hexadecyltrimethylamonium Bromide as a cation exchange agent. The Linear Low Density Polyethylene - synthetic clay nanocomposites were fabricated using a compression molding machine. The organo clay was characterized using X-Ray Diffraction, Energy Dispersive X-Ray and Fourier Transform - Infra Red methods. It was found that the cation exchange treatment has not changed the colour of the synthetic clay; however it was obvious that the amount of Carbon atoms increased because of the contribution of the cation exchange agent on the clay surface. The presence of the cation exchange agents on the clay surface also indicated a significant change of the (001) basal spacing. A d-spacing of 1.53 nm of the synthetic clay was increased up to 1.90 nm for the surface-modified clay. The decomposition temperature of the organo clay was approximately 228 °C and was obtained from Thermogravimetry Analysis measurement, which confirmed the operational temperature of the compression molding machine was below this temperature. The tensile modulus and the tensile strength of the Linear Low Density Polyethylene - clay nanocomposites increased by 54% and 9% respectively by the addition of this organo clay compared to the pristine material.