Production and characterization of polyethylene based boron nitride nano sheets filled composites

In this project, preparation and characterization of low density polyethylene (LDPE) boron nitride nano sheets (BNNS) nanocomposites were studied. Properties of low density polyethylene boron nitride nono sheets composite were improved by enhancement of interphase between low density polyethylene and boron nitride nano sheets. Surface treatment of BNNS was applied for modification of interfacial interactions between LDPE and BNNS. Also to help improve the chemical interactions at the interface between BNNSs and LDPE during compounding, LDPE was grafted. The BNNSs surfaces were chemically functionalized using vinyl trimethoxy silane (VTS) coupling agent. The attachment of silane groups onto BNNSs surfaces was verified with a combination of various analtytical techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) and contact angle measurements. With the addition of low contents (0.3, 0.5 and 1 wt %) of pristine and silanized BNNSs, 2-hydroxyethylmetaacrylate (HEMA) grafted low density polyethylene (LDPE) based nanocomposite films were produced by melt extrusion. Properties of the resulting nanacomposite films containing BNNSs with and without silane treatment were evaluated using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), Dynamic Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).In this study it was concluded that modification of BNNS surface by VTS affects the dispersion state of fillers in HEMA grafted LDPE positively considering thermal, mechanical and microstructure analyses of HEMA grafted LDPE- BNNS nanocomposites.Keywords : Boron Nitride Nanosheets ( BNNS), Microfluidics, VinylTrimethoxy Silane (VTS), Polyetylene, Melt Extrusion Method.