Ethylene-Octene Copolymers/Organoclay Nanocomposites: Preparation and Properties

Two ethylene-octene copolymers with 17 and 45 wt.% of octene (EOC-17 and EOC-45) were compared in nanocomposites with Cloisite 93A. EOC-45 nanocomposites have a higher elongation at break. Dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA) showed a decrease of tan⁡δ with frequency for EOC-17 nanocomposites, but decrease is followed by an increase for EOC-45 nanocomposites; DMA showed also increased modulus for all nanocomposites compared to pure copolymers over a wide temperature range. Barrier properties were improved about 100% by addition of organoclay; they were better for EOC-17 nanocomposites due to higher crystallinity. X-ray diffraction (XRD) together with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed some intercalation for EOC-17 but much better dispersion for EOC-45 nanocomposites. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed increased crystallization temperature Tc for EOC-17 nanocomposite (aggregates acted as nucleation agents) but decrease Tc for EOC-45 nanocomposite together with greatly influenced melting peak. Accelerated UV aging showed smaller C=O peak for EOC-45 nanocomposites.