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Non-isothermal crystallization analysis of recycled high-density polyethylene/black shale composites

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Abstract

In this study, recycled high-density polyethylene (REHDPE)/black shale (B-shale) composites were prepared by a melt-blending method using a B-shale nucleating agent and polyolefin elastomer (POE) and acrylic impact modifier (ACR) as plasticizers. The melt index, microstructure, mechanical properties, and non-isothermal crystallization behavior of REHDPE were analyzed to determine the effects of the nucleating agent and plasticizer. Scanning electron microscopy and the melt index indicated that POE and ACR increased the melt flow rate of the composites and improved the interfacial properties of B-shale and REHDPE. The non-isothermal crystallization processes of the REHDPE and REHDPE composites were successfully described by Hoffmann–Lauritzen theory, demonstrating that B-shale, POE, and ACR can synergistically accelerate the crystallization process of REHDPE. The Friedman method revealed that B-shale, POE and ACR reduced the crystallization activation energy by heterogeneous nucleation and increasing the melt flow, respectively. The POE and ACR further enhanced the nucleation activity of B-shale and the nucleation activity is negatively correlated with the B-shale content according to the Dobreva and Gutzow’s methods. The synergistic effect of nucleating agent and plasticizer improved the mechanical properties of REHDPE and solved the problem in relatively low mechanical properties of recycled plastics. And it will provide a new strategy for the practical production of REHDPE.

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Acknowledgements

This work is financially supported by the Science and Technology Project of Guangxi (AB21220060) and Guangxi Natural Science Youth Foundation (2021GXNSFBA220043).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of New Processing Technology for Nonferrous Metals and Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Material Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, 541004, China

    Liangdong Ye, Hongbo Liu, Dongming Chen, Ziwei Li, Dacheng Li, Suijun Xiao, Yufei Lao & Shaorong Lu

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  1. Liangdong Ye
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, analysis and the first draft of the manuscript were written by [Liangdong Ye]. Funding acquisition by [Shaorong Lu], [Ziwei Li], and all authors have commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Ye, L., Liu, H., Chen, D. et al. Non-isothermal crystallization analysis of recycled high-density polyethylene/black shale composites. J Therm Anal Calorim 148, 5719–5732 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-023-12075-7

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