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PE/clay nanocomposites produced via in situ polymerization by highly active clay-supported Ziegler–Natta catalyst

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Abstract

The synthesis of polyethylene/clay (PE/clay) nanocomposites by means of in situ polymerization was achieved using the clay/BOM/chloroform/EtOH/TiCl4/TEA catalyst system where butyl octyl magnesium (BOM) and triethyl aluminum (TEA) were a modifier for the clay and cocatalyst, respectively. It was found that the catalyst had high activity in ethylene polymerization. The microstructure of the resulting PE/clay nanocomposites was characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The examinations evidenced the nanocomposite formation with exfoliated clay in the PE matrix. The thermal properties of the produced nanocomposites were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, oxidation induction time, and thermal gravimetric analysis. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were evaluated by the impact and tensile tests. The examinations indicated the improved thermal stability and mechanical properties. Meanwhile, a wide range of molecular weights were produced in the presence of hydrogen.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to express their thanks to the Petrochemical Research and Technology Co. of NPC, Iran National Science Foundation (INSF) and Amirkabir University of Technology for their support in carrying out this project. We also appreciate Dr. M. Daftari-Besheli, Dr. S. M. Ghafelehbashi, Mrs. Z. Hasanvand, Mr. S. R. Nokhbeh, Dr. D. Sodbar, Mr. M. Saati, Mr. A. Fatehifar, Mr. D. Jafarifar, Mr. M. Habibelahi, Mr. Abdolghani and Mrs. B. Raesi for their help.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Amirkabir University of Technology, Hafez Ave, Tehran, Iran

    Sadegh Abedi & Majid Abdouss

  2. Faculty of Polymer Engineering, Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Research Institute, Pajouhesh Blvd, Karaj Highway, Tehran, Iran

    Mehdi Nekoomanesh-Haghighi

  3. Faculty of Chemistry, University of Tehran, Enghelab Ave, Tehran, Iran

    Naser Sharifi-Sanjani

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  1. Sadegh Abedi
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  2. Majid Abdouss
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  3. Mehdi Nekoomanesh-Haghighi
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  4. Naser Sharifi-Sanjani
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Correspondence to Majid Abdouss.

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Abedi, S., Abdouss, M., Nekoomanesh-Haghighi, M. et al. PE/clay nanocomposites produced via in situ polymerization by highly active clay-supported Ziegler–Natta catalyst. Polym. Bull. 70, 1313–1325 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-012-0856-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-012-0856-1

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