Effect of Compatibilizer on Polyethylene/Clay/Silver Nanocomposite Properties

Polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PEgMA) was used as one type of compatibilizer and it was reacted by reactive extrusion with 2 [2 (dimethylamine) ethoxy] ethanol (DMAE) to obtain other type of compatibilizer PEgDMAE. Synthesis and deposition of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NP) was done by two different methods: In one method (method A), silver nanoparticles were synthetized using ethylene glycol (EG) and pre mixed with compatibilizers using ultrasound with the aim of inducing an interaction between AgNP and polar groups of compatibilizer. Then they were incorporated in a blend with PE and Clay by melt mixing. In other method (method B) silver nanoparticles, were synthetized using EG, premixed with the Clay in a solvent suspension, and then incorporated with PE and compatibilizers. Characterization techniques indicated that an increase in the content of Ag-NPs, filler dispersion (clay and silver), mechanical and antimicrobial properties were strongly affected by the type and concentration of the compatibilizer and preparation method used. The using of PEgDMAE resulted in a better particle distribution of both sliver and clay into PE. The obtained nanocomposites showed enhanced mechanical and antimicrobial properties with highly exfoliated and dispersed filler into the PE matrix that offers a better option for obtaining hybrid nanocomposites for different applications.