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Low density polyethylene and grafted lignin polyblends using epoxy‐functionalized compatibilizer: mechanical and thermal properties
Author(s) -
Sailaja RRN
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
polymer international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-0126
pISSN - 0959-8103
DOI - 10.1002/pi.1864
Subject(s) - low density polyethylene , materials science , glycidyl methacrylate , lignin , thermogravimetric analysis , differential scanning calorimetry , thermal stability , compatibilization , polyethylene , crystallinity , composite material , polymer blend , polymer chemistry , chemical engineering , polymer , organic chemistry , copolymer , chemistry , physics , engineering , thermodynamics
Abstract Lignin was graft copolymerized with methyl methacrylate using manganic pyrophosphate as initiator. This modified lignin was then blended (up to 50 wt%) with low density polyethylene (LDPE) using a small quantity of poly[ethylene‐ co ‐(glycidyl methacrylate)] (PEGMA) compatibilizer. The mechanical properties of the blend were substantially improved by using modified lignin in contrast to untreated lignin. Differential scanning calorimetry studies showed loss of crystallinity of the LDPE phase owing to the interaction between the blend components. Thermogravimetric analysis showed higher thermal stability of modified lignin in the domain of blend processing. This suggested that there is scope for useful utilization of lignin, which could also lead to the development of eco‐friendly products. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry