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Optimization of processing parameters for the synthesis of low‐density polyethylene/organically modified montmorillonite nanocomposites using X‐ray diffraction with experimental design
Author(s) -
CamposRequena Víctor H,
Rivas Bernabé L,
Pérez Mónica A,
Contreras David,
Muñoz Eduardo
Publication year - 2013
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.4465
Subject(s) - montmorillonite , intercalation (chemistry) , nanocomposite , low density polyethylene , materials science , response surface methodology , polyethylene , mixing (physics) , chemical engineering , composite material , diffraction , chemistry , chromatography , organic chemistry , optics , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
The influence of the processing parameters on the synthesis of low‐density polyethylene ( LDPE )/organically modified montmorillonite ( OMM ) nanocomposite films was studied using experimental design. Intercalation in the nanocomposites was analysed using X‐ray diffraction and verified using atomic force microscopy. Four direct melt processing parameters were studied to obtain surface maps of intercalation in the nanocomposites: concentration of OMM (clay‐%), concentration of Polybond ® 3149 (compatibilizer‐%), mixing temperature ( T mix ) and mixing time. An ANOVA validated the polynomial function, and intercalation maps from response surface methodology ( RSM ) were obtained. The clay‐% parameter had the most significant effect, and T mix showed no significant effect on intercalation ( p < 0.05). A strong synergic interaction between clay‐% and compatibilizer‐% was observed, which is not possible to detect using univariate experiments. RSM provides a powerful tool for choosing the best processing conditions that lead to formulations with the highest intercalations by considering the main factors and their interactions. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry