Preparation of LLDPE/MgAl-LDH exfoliation nanocomposites with enhanced thermal properties by melt intercalation

The interlayer surface of MgAl layered double hydroxide (MgAl-LDH) was modified by exchanging about half of the interlayer nitrate anions by dodecyl sulfate anions (DS) to get MgAl(H-DS) LDH, and then the MgAl(H-DS) was melt intercalated by LLDPE to get the LLDPE/MgAl-LDH exfoliation nanocomposites. The samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (MR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), ion chromatography, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). The nanoscale dispersion of MgAl-LDH layers in the LLDPE matrix was verified by the disappearance of (001) XRD reflection of the modified MgAl-LDH and by the TEM observation. The TGA profiles of LLDPE/MgAl-LDH nanocomposites show a faster charring process between 210 and 370 degrees C and a higher thermal stability above 370 degrees C than LLDPE. The decomposition temperature of the nanocomposites with 10 wt% MgAl(H-DS) can be 42 degrees C higher than that of LLDPE at 40% weight loss.