Influence of Titanium Dioxide Content on the Crystallization Behavior and Solar Reflectance of Polyethylene/Titanium Dioxide Composites

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) particles were introduced to improve the solar reflectance of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The organic-inorganic hybrids were fabricated by melt blending. A series of characterizations were taken to study the crystallization behavior, morphology, solar reflectance, and real cooling property. TiO₂ particles acted as nucleation agents in the HDPE matrix and made the HDPE form thick lamellar crystals. TiO₂ particles could disperse well into the HDPE matrix under 2.5 wt.% loading but agglomerated with 3 wt.%. Solar reflectance was related to the reflective index of TiO₂ and the microstructure of HDPE. The real cooling property depended on the solar reflectance and the dispersion of the TiO₂ particles in the HDPE matrix.