Effect of titanium dioxide on the properties of polyethylene/TiO2 nanocomposites

In this paper, we report the surface modification of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles with vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) and their use as filler for fabricating LDPE/TiO2 nanocomposites. FTIR and FESEM analyses indicated successful grafting of VTMS on the surface of TiO2 nanoparticles and good dispersibility and adhesion of the modified nanoparticles in the LDPE matrix respectively. Tensile test also showed improved mechanical properties of LDPE/modified TiO2 nanocomposites in comparison to the original, LDPE/unmodified samples. With the accelerated weathering test, it was shown that the anatase TiO2 nanoparticles could degrade composite matrix more pronouncedly than the rutile TiO2 nanoparticles did. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.