Crystallization behavior of carbon nanofiber/linear low density polyethylene nanocomposites

Crystallization behavior of LLDPE nanocomposites is reported in the presence of three types of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) (MJ, PR‐19, and PR‐24). During nonisothermal crystallization studies, all three crystalline melting peaks for LLDPE matrix were observed in the presence of PR‐19 nanofibers (up to 15 wt % content), but only the high‐ and low‐temperature peaks were observed in the presence MJ nanofibers. The broad melting peak at low‐temperature became bigger, suggesting an increase in the relative content of thinner lamellae in the presence of MJ nanofibers. TEM results of nanocomposites revealed transcrystallinity of LLDPE on the surface of CNFs, and a slightly broader distribution of lamellar thickness. STEM studies revealed a rougher surface morphology of the MJ nanofibers relative to that of PR nanofibers. Also, BET studies confirmed a larger specific surface area of MJ nanofibers relative to that of PR nanofibers, suggesting that the larger and the rougher surface of MJ nanofibers contributes toward the different crystallization behavior of MJ/LLDPE nanocomposites. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007