Dispersing hydrophilic nanoparticles in hydrophobic polymers: HDPE/ZnO nanocomposites by a novel template-based approach

Abstract

The efficiency of a novel template-based approach for the dispersion of hydrophilic nanoparticles within hydrophobic polymer matrices is investigated. The procedure envisages the permeation of a well dispersed nanoparticle suspension inside a micro-porous matrix, obtained through selective extraction of a sacrificial phase from a finely interpenetrated co-continuous polymer blend. Specifically, a blend of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) at 50/50 wt% is prepared by melt mixing. The addition of small amounts of organo-clay promotes the necessary refinement of the blend morphology. Once removed the PEO, the micro-porous HDPE matrix is dipped in a colloidal suspension of zinc oxide nanoparticles which exhibits low interfacial tension with HDPE. A system prepared by traditional melt mixing is used as reference. Melt- and solid-state viscoelastic measurements reveal a good quality of the filler dispersion despite the uneven distribution on micro-scale. The latter can be capitalized to minimize the filler content to attain a certain improvement of the material properties or to design nano-structured polymer composites

New nanostructured nickel–polymer nanohybrids with improved surface hydrophobicity and effect on the living cells adhesion

“…This phenomenon could be used to modulate and manage cells to reach exact results. Recent status in a research field represents the articles where metal nanoparticles were dispersed in a polymer matrix with resulting functional properties [8] or dispersing hydrophilic nanoparticles in hydrophobic polymers [9]. The anti-biofilm properties of silver and gold incorporated different polymers with polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA) have been also well documented [10].…”

Porous fibers surface decorated with nanofillers: From melt‐spun PP/PVA blend fibers with silica nanoparticles

“…Among the technologies, melt blending is a nonsolvent, cost-effective, and highly efficient process. For example, Luna et al 26 dipped microporous high-density polyethylene into a colloidal suspension of zinc oxide nanoparticles to modify the surface state. A large number of water-soluble polymers are available as sacrificial polymers, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), 10,11 poly(ethylene oxide), [12][13][14] polyvinylpyrrolidone, 15 and sulfopolyester 16,17 to avoid any toxicity problem during the process.…”

Evaluation of the homogenization properties of masterbatches

“…Proper dispersion is also a focus area for nanoparticle‐filled polymers , therefore several papers have dealt previously with this issue, such as the work of Salzano et al . who developed a novel method to generate nanoscale ZnO dispersion in HDPE. Generally, the agglomerates impair mechanical and aesthetic properties, except for some special cases in which non‐uniform distribution of components is needed to achieve specified properties, such as described by Li et al .…”

“…In most applications, components need to be well dispersed and evenly distributed throughout the base material. Proper dispersion is also a focus area for nanoparticle-filled polymers [9], therefore several papers have dealt previously with this issue, such as the work of Salzano et al [10] who developed a novel method to generate nanoscale ZnO dispersion in HDPE. Generally, the agglomerates impair mechanical and aesthetic properties, except Figure 1 Illustration of the scale and the intensity of segregation [8] for some special cases in which non-uniform distribution of components is needed to achieve specified properties, such as described by Li et al [11], who investigated the breaking properties of PP blends.…”