Preparation and thermomechanical characterization of metallocene linear low‐density polyethylene/carbon nanotube nanocomposites

Nanocomposites, based on a metallocene linear low‐density polyethylene matrix (mLLDPE), reinforced with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), at various CNT loadings, have been prepared and studied by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, tensile‐electrical testing, and Raman spectroscopy. The melt‐mixing procedure has been applied to prepare the nanocomposites, whereas the polyethylene matrix type (mLLDPE) employed was proved to be decisive in producing nanocomposites with improved thermomechanical/electrical properties, due to a good quality dispersion of the CNTs into the specific bulk matrix. Moreover, the electrical conductivity obtained at a specific CNT loading was analyzed by a model relating the electrical resistance of the CNT/nanocomposites with the effective length of CNTs, and the thickness of the interphase between matrix and CNTs. These quantities are parameters which participate in the tunnel effect. The simulated parameter values were in accordance with the results of the micromechanics modeling. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E1263–E1273, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers