Preparation and Characterization of Magnesium/Aluminium Layered Double Hydroxide as Filler in Low-Density Polyethylene Composite

Abstract

Polymer had been widely used in industries nowadays. However, the properties of the polymer itself are limited to a particular application. This study describes synthetic clay, layered double hydroxide (LDH), as a filler in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) composite. LDHs of magnesium/ aluminium-dodecyl sulfate (Mg/Al-DS) and its grafted with triethoxymethylsilane (TEMS), (TEMSg-Mg/Al-DS) were synthesized through co-precipitation and salinization reaction methods. The presence of alkyl group, v(C-H) in both LDH had confirmed through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The appearance of peaks in FTIR spectra within the absorbance range of 2800 -2930 cm -1 indicates a successful surface modification of LDH, supported by the changes of interlayer spacing and the presence of carbon from X-ray diffractogram and CHNS elemental analysis, respectively. The synthesized LDH was mixed with LDPE via melt intercalation method. The LDH modification resulted in higher interaction and compatibility between the LDPE matrix and LDH by the formation exfoliated type of nanocomposites, as suggested by XRD analysis.