Effects of organo-layered double hydroxide structure on morphology and thermal properties of LDPE-based nanocomposites

In this work, the ability of organo-layered hydroxides (organo-LDHs), modified with different kinds of surfactants, to undergo intercalation/exfoliation in LDPE was investigated. It was found that the local ordering and the rearrangement between the layers of the surfactant strongly influences the dispersion degree of organo-LDHs in the LDPE matrix, with and without the addition of a compatibilizer. In particular, the intercalation of polymer chains seems to be hindered when surfactant molecules form a bilayer structure, whereas mono layered organo-LDHs were successfully dispersed. Data collected about morphological and thermal properties of nanocomposites will be discussed to provide new insights about the dispersion of organo-LDHs in LDPE.