Polyethylene/graphite nanocomposites obtained by in situ polymerization |
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| Authors: | Fabiana de C. Fim Jonathan M. Guterres Nara R. S. Basso Griselda B. Galland |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gon?alves, 9500, Porto Alegre 91570‐970, Brazil;2. Faculdade de Química, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul‐Brasil, Av. Ipiranga 6681, Porto Alegre 90619‐900, Brazil |
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| Abstract: | The synthesis of polyethylene/graphite nanocomposites by in situ polymerization was achieved using the catalytic system Cp2ZrCl2 (bis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium(IV) dichloride)/methylaluminoxane (MAO). Graphite with nano dimensions, previously treated with MAO, was added into the reactor as filler at percentages of 1, 2, and 5% (w/w). XRD analysis showed that the chemical and thermal treatments employed preserve the structure of the graphite sheets. The formation of graphite nanosheets and nanocomposites was confirmed by TEM and AFM. TEM micrographics showed that the polyethylene grew between the graphene nanosheets, giving intercalated and exfoliated graphite nanocomposites. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 692–698, 2010 |
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| Keywords: | graphite nanosheet in situ polymerization metallocene catalysts nanocomposite polyethylene polyolefins |
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