Thermo mechanical properties of organically modified halloysite nanotubes/cyclic olefin copolymer composite

This report deals with the development of unmodified and modified halloysite nanotube (HNT) based cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) composites. Maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MA‐ g ‐PE) has been used as a compatibilizer. Exfoliation of organically modified HNTs (mHNTs) and dispersion of it in polymer matrix was observed by X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis, respectively. Augmented dynamic mechanical and thermal properties of the composites were provided by incorporating mHNTs into the pure matrix. In this work, we have proposed that the modification of HNTs enhanced the dispersion and strong interfacial interaction which led to better performance of the composites where MA‐ g ‐PE acts as a bridging tool between polar clays and nonpolar COC. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:955–960, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers