Preparation and characterization of low density polyethylene nanocomposites with modified montmorillonite clay

Organically modified montmorillonite clay (OMC) and its iron complex (OMC-Fe) were prepared using 1-acetylpyridinium chloride salicylhydrazone. Low density polyethylene (PE-LD) was compounded with either OMC or OMC-Fe (in amount of 3 or 7 wt. %) using ultrasonic radiation. The morphology of polyethylene composites was characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The thermal stability and flammability properties of polyethylene composites were evaluated using ther-mogravimetric analysis and cone calorimetry, respectively. The resultant composites exhibited improved flammability relative to the pure polyethylene.