Synthesis of Polyethylene/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites by In-situ Intercalative Polymerization

Ziegler-Natta catalysts were intercalated into the galleries between the silicate layers of modified organic montmorillonite (OMMT) and then polyethylene/montmorillonite (PE/MMT) nanocomposites were prepared via in-situ intercalative polymerization of ethylene. Characterization studies were carried out on MMT, OMMT and PE/MMT by various techniques. They indicated that the space between MMT layers in OMMT was broadened from 1.26 nm to 3.53 nm and the MMT layers were homogeneously dispersed in the PE matrix of PE/MMT. Compared with pure PE, the thermal and mechanical properties of PE/MMT were improved to different extents.