Exfoliated clay-polyethylene nanocomposites obtained by in situ polymerization. Synthesis, structure, properties

Intercalation of titanium complexes active in olefin polymerization into interlayer gaps of natural laminated aluminosilicate of Na^sup +^-montmorillonite modified by dimethyldioctadecylammonium ions has been realized. Using in situ ethylene polymerization on intercalated complexes, polyethylene-modified montmorillonite nanocomposites with an aluminosilicate content from 4 to 43 mass % have been obtained. It has been proved by x-ray structural analysis that at a filler content of up to 24 mass % they represent exfoliated nanocomposite systems. The physicomechanical properties of the obtained materials have been investigated. It has been established that nanocomposites with a filler content of 4-8 mass % have the best complex of properties. Compared to pure (unfilled) polyethylene obtained under the same conditions, they are characterized by a higher value of the elastic modulus with the same level (which is particularly important) of tensile strength and specific elongation at rupture.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]