Low density polyethylene/clay nanocomposites modified by ethylene copolymers: Effects of functionalized segments on morphology

Melt extrusion was used to prepare binary nanocomposites of ethylene copolymers and organoclay and trinary nanocomposites of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), ethylene copolymer and organoclay. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to analyze the structure of the clay phase and the morphology of the nanocomposites. Influences of the comonomer in the copolymer and the content of the copolymer on the morphology of the resulting nanocomposites were discussed. The binary and the trinary composites may form intercalated or exfoliated structures depending on the interaction between the copolymer and the clay layers and the content of the copolymer.