Effects of charge trapping on the electrical conductivity of low‐density Polyethylene–Carbon black composites

Electrical conductivities of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE)–carbon black (CB) composites were studied using high resistance meter at room temperature (DC conductivity) and dielectric spectroscopy (AC conductivity) in the frequency range between 90 kHz and 13 MHz and temperature range from 120 to 355 K. DC measurements revealed a percolation threshold at about 20 wt % of CB content, whereas AC measurements show two conductivity peaks at about 15% and 23% of CB content. The presence of two percolation thresholds was attributed to different dispersions of CB particles in structural inhomogeneities of LDPE. The experimental data were analyzed using the model of Efros and Shklovskii, which describes the critical behavior of a complex conductivity using critical indexes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Positive temperature coefficient effect and interaction based on low‐density polyethylene/graphite powder composites

In this article, the positive temperature coefficient (PTC) and interaction based on low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) filled with the loading of graphite (G) powder have been investigated. The dependence of the room temperature resistivity on filler content showed the significant decrease. The PTC behavior enhanced with increasing graphite content but this was not always the case. The maximum PTC effect was observed in LDPE/G composites (G, 45 wt %) with the relatively low room temperature resistivity. The thermal behavior was measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The structure characteristic for LDPE/G composites was examined by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and stress–strain test. The fact was revealed that the slight interaction between LDPE matrix and graphite may lead to change the thermal‐electric properties of the PTC materials. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Recycled milk pouch and virgin low‐density polyethylene/linear low‐density polyethylene based coir fiber composites

The viability of the thermomechanical recycling of postconsumer milk pouches [a 50 : 50 low‐density polyethylene/linear low‐density polyethylene (LDPE–LLDPE) blend] and their use as polymeric matrices for coir‐fiber‐reinforced composites were investigated. The mechanical, thermal, morphological, and water absorption properties of recycled milk pouch polymer/coir fiber composites with different treated and untreated fiber contents were evaluated and compared with those of virgin LDPE–LLDPE/coir fiber composites. The water absorption of the composites measured at three different temperatures (25, 45, and 75°C) was found to follow Fickian diffusion. The mechanical properties of the composites significantly deteriorated after water absorption. The recycled polymer/coir fiber composites showed inferior mechanical performances and thermooxidative stability (oxidation induction time and oxidation temperature) in comparison with those observed for virgin polymer/fiber composites. However, a small quantity of a coupling agent (2 wt %) significantly improved all the mechanical, thermal, and moisture‐resistance properties of both types of composites. The overall mechanical performances of the composites containing recycled and virgin polymer matrices were correlated by the phase morphology, as observed with scanning electron microscopy. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

Mechanical properties and water absorption of low‐density polyethylene/sawdust composites

The mechanical properties and water absorption of low‐density polyethylene/sawdust composites were investigated. The relationship between the filler content and the composite properties was also studied. Different degrees of esterification of the sawdust with maleic anhydride were obtained with different reaction times. The experimental results demonstrated that the treatment of sawdust by maleic anhydride enhanced the tensile and flexural strengths. The water absorption for maleic anhydride treated sawdust indicated that it was more hydrophobic than untreated sawdust. The effects of the addition of benzoyl peroxide during the preparation of composite samples on the water absorption and mechanical properties were also evaluated. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Time–temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity of high‐density polyethylene/carbon black composites

Several carbon blacks with surface areas from 105 to 1353 m²/g were used to produce composites through melt compounding with a high‐density polyethylene matrix. The electrical behavior of the obtained composites was investigated by the measurement of their resistivity as a function of the carbon black content and type at various temperatures and times during isothermal annealing treatments. The percolation threshold markedly decreased as the carbon black surface area increased, reaching a minimum value of 1.8 vol % for the carbon black with a surface area of 1353 m²/g. The resistivity passed through a maximum as the test temperature increased. Moreover, the analysis of the experimental data evidenced that the host high‐density polyethylene matrix and the conductive carbon black network rearranged during the isothermal thermal treatments, causing a resistivity decrease. This rearrangement became less and less important as the carbon black surface area increased. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

Melt strength of linear low‐density polyethylene/low‐density polyethylene blends

Linear low‐density polyethylenes and low‐density polyethylenes of various compositions were melt‐blended with a batch mixer. The blends were characterized by their melt strengths and other rheological properties. A simple method for measuring melt strength is presented. The melt strength of a blend may vary according to the additive rule or deviate from the additive rule by showing a synergistic or antagonistic effect. This article reports our investigation of the parameters controlling variations of the melt strength of a blend. The reciprocal of the melt strength of a blend correlates well with the reciprocal of the zero‐shear viscosity and the reciprocal of the relaxation time of the melt. An empirical equation relating the maximum increment (or decrement) of the melt strength to the melt indices of the blend components is proposed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 1408–1418, 2002     

Microwave absorbing properties of ternary linear low‐density polyethylene/carbonyl iron powder/carbon black composites

Linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) was used as polymer matrix, carbonyl iron powder (CIP) and carbon black (CB) were used as fillers, and ternary composites with microwave absorbing properties were prepared by melt blending. Transmission electron microscopy was used to characterize the prepared samples. The absorbing ability (reflection loss) of the prepared composites was measured using the arch method, and the electromagnetic parameters of composites were determined by the transmission/reflection method. The filler contents of CIP and CB have effects on the absorbing peak positions and reflection loss, and there is the optimum filler content in composites to obtain the maximum microwave absorbing. The microwave absorption of LLDPE/CIP/CB composites comes from the combining contributions of the dielectric loss and the magnetic loss. The synergistic effects of CIP and CB effectively improve the microwave absorbing properties of polymer composites. CIP and CB are uniformly distributed in the polymer matrix. The theoretical calculation results of the absorbing ability are in agreement with the experimental results using the transmission line theory. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Structure and properties of ultraviolet‐irradiated high density polyethylene at different environmental temperatures

C? O, C?O, and C(?O)O oxygen‐containing groups were introduced onto the molecular chain of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) through ultraviolet irradiation in air. The introduction rate of the oxygen‐containing groups onto HDPE increased with increasing environmental temperature. After ultraviolet irradiation, the molecular weight of HDPE decreased, and its distribution became wider; the melting temperature, contact angle with water, and impact strength decreased; the degree of crystallinity and yield strength increased; and their variation amplitude increased with environmental temperature. The environmental temperature had an effect on the gel content of irradiated HDPE. HDPE‐irradiated for 48 h at 35° and 50°C were not crosslinked. However, gelation took place in HDPE irradiated for 24 h at 70°C. HDPE irradiated at a high environmental temperature was more effective than that irradiated at a low environmental temperature in compatibilizing HDPE with PVA. Compared with the 83/17 HDPE/PVA blend, the yield and notched impact strength of the 73/17 HDPE/PVA blend compatibilized with 10% HDPE irradiated for 24 h at an environmental temperature of 70°C increased from 30.8 MPa and 110 J/m to 34.9 MPa and 142 J/m, respectively. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 2966–2969, 2003     

Electrical resistivity of carbon black filled high‐density polyethylene composites

The electrical resistivity of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) loaded with carbon black (CB) blends was evaluated as a function of the blending time and the melt index of HDPE. The relationship between the positive temperature coefficient effect and the room temperature volume resistivity was investigated. The positive temperature coefficient effect and reproducibility were improved significantly when the blending time of HDPE and CB was comparatively long. The effects of ⁶⁰Co γ‐ray and electron beam irradiation on the positive and negative temperature coefficient behavior of the blends were studied. The effect of thermal aging on the volume resistivity was studied to ascertain the structural stability. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 2440–2446, 2002     

Reactive extrusion process for the grafting of maleic anhydride onto linear low‐density polyethylene with ultraviolet radiation

In this work, we chemically modified linear low‐density polyethylene with maleic anhydride in the molten state using, in a first step, different doses of ultraviolet irradiation to generate hydroperoxide groups, which were highly reactive at the processing temperature. Then, in a second reactive extrusion step, maleic anhydride was grafted to the linear low‐density polyethylene under different processing conditions. Characterization of the modified and unmodified linear low‐density polyethylene material was performed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and nuclear magnetic resonance. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Thermal and mechanical properties of linear low‐density polyethylene/low‐density polyethylene/wax ternary blends

The thermal and mechanical properties of uncrosslinked three‐component blends of linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE), low‐density polyethylene (LDPE), and a hard, paraffinic Fischer–Tropsch wax were investigated. A decrease in the total crystallinity with an increase in both LDPE and wax contents was observed. It was also observed that experimental enthalpy values of LLDPE in the blends were generally higher than the theoretically expected values, whereas in the case of LDPE the theoretically expected values were higher than the experimental values. In the presence of higher wax content there was a good correlation between experimental and theoretically expected enthalpy values. The DSC results showed changes in peak temperature of melting, as well as peak width, with changing blend composition. Most of these changes are explained in terms of the preferred cocrystallization of wax with LLDPE. Young's modulus, yield stress, and stress at break decreased with increasing LDPE content, whereas elongation at yield increased. This is in line with the decreasing crystallinity and increasing amorphous content expected with increasing LDPE content. Deviations from this behavior for samples containing 10% wax and relatively low LDPE contents are explained in terms of lower tie chain fractions. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 1748–1755, 2005     

Rheological analysis of vapor‐grown carbon nanofiber‐reinforced polyethylene composites

The melt rheological analysis of high‐density polyethylene reinforced with vapor‐grown carbon nanofibers (VGCNFs) was performed on an oscillatory rheometer. The influence of frequency, temperature, and nanofiber concentration (up to 30 wt %) on the rheological properties of composites was investigated. Specifically, the viscosity increase is accompanied by an increase in the elastic melt properties, represented by the storage modulus G′, which is much higher than the increase in the loss modulus G″. The composites and pure PE exhibit a typical shear thinning behavior as complex viscosity decreases rapidly with the increase of shearing frequency. The shear thinning behavior is much more pronounced for the composites with high fiber concentration. The rheological threshold value for this system was found to be around 10 wt % of VGCNF. The damping factor was reduced significantly by the inclusion of nanofibers into the matrix. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 155–162, 2004     

Preparation and characterization of linear low‐density polyethylene/low‐density polyethylene/TiO2 membranes

Because of their special functions, the application of nanoscale powders has recently attracted both industrial and theoretical interest. In this study, nanoscale TiO₂, which exhibited a special UV absorption and consequent antibacterial function, was added to a low‐density polyethylene/linear low‐density polyethylene hybrid by melt compounding to yield functional composite membranes. TiO₂ exhibited an apparent induced nucleation effect on the crystallization of polyethylene, and the size of the crystallites decreased while the number increaed with the introduction of TiO₂; however, the crystallinity of polyethylene changed little. Also, TiO₂ exhibited an ideal dispersion in the membrane with an average size less than 100 nm, and this excellent dispersion provided the membranes extra UV absorption; moreover, the transparency of the membranes was maintained to satisfy common requirements. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 216–221, 2005     

Differential scanning calorimetry studies on high‐ and low‐density annealed and irradiated polyethylenes: Influence of aging

The effect of γ‐radiation, followed by 10 years storage at ambient conditions, on the thermal behavior of different types of high‐ and low‐density commercial polyethylenes was studied. First, samples were annealed to improve the crystalline content. Next, they were irradiated, after which fusion endotherms, melting temperatures, crystallinity indices, and lamellar thicknesses were obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The change in the thermal parameters for the first and second meltings were related to the absorbed doses. Afterward, the samples were stored at ambient conditions for 10 years and then scanned again by DSC to assess the influence of aging on previously irradiated samples. The results showed that the changes on the morphological structure undergone by the samples with the storage time were highly dependent on the polyethylene type and the absorbed radiation dose. The high‐density polyethylene was the most sensitive to radiation and storage, whereas the low‐density polyethylene with the lowest molecular weight and the highest degree of branching was the least affected. In general, the changes observed during irradiation can be explained in terms of an increase of imperfections and chain scissions. The storage can be understood as a slow crystallization process at low radiation doses, and as a decrease of the crystalline structure at high doses. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 3260–3271, 2003     

Recent developments in the radiation grafting of N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone onto low‐density polyethylene with cinnamonitrile derivatives

The radiation‐induced graft polymerization of N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone onto low‐density polyethylene films was conducted with γ radiation by a simultaneous technique. The grafted copolymer was modified with cinnamonitrile or benzylidene malononitrile. The modified and grafted films were amidoximated with hydroxylamine hydrochloride in a basic medium. However, during amidoximation, the benzylidene malononitrile was cyclized to yield isoxazole ring through an addition to the nitrile group in its structure, whereas the nitrile groups of cinnamonitrile were converted into amidoxime groups. The swelling behavior of the grafted copolymers and copolymers grafted and modified either with cinnamonitrile or benzylidene malononitrile was studied. Amidoximated and grafted films and copolymer–metal complexes of Cu(II) were prepared and characterized. The effect of the isoxazole ring on polymeric materials was also investigated. These films were characterized with different analysis techniques, such as infrared, ultraviolet (UV), elemental analysis, energy‐dispersive spectroscopy, and electron spin resonance (ESR). The UV and ESR analyses revealed that the geometric structure of Cu(II) was square‐planar. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the grafted and modified films to determine the changes in the surface morphology. Morphological changes clearly appeared for both complexed and isoxazole films because of the increase in their crystallinity. The thermal stability of different films was investigated with thermogravimetric analysis. The improvement of the copolymer by modification with cinnamonitrile derivatives showed great promise for some practical applications, such as metal recovery by complexation or the use of isoxazole in medicine. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 95: 1189–1197, 2005     

Effects of thermal ageing treatment and antioxidants on the positive temperature coefficient characteristics of carbon black/polyethylene conductive composites

Polyethylene (PE)‐filled with carbon black (CB) is a prototypical composite that displays resistance switching. These materials can exhibit either a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) or negative temperature coefficient (NTC). The CB‐filled semicrystalline polymer composites ideally need antioxidants, which stabilize the composites against thermooxidative degradation, because they should be resistant to the severe conditions of high temperature. The characterization of PTC materials is affected by the crystallinity of the polymer, and the crystallinity of the polymer is changed with thermal ageing treatment. Thermal ageing of PTC samples was conducted in an oven in the range 50–140°C, in air. The composites, containing 0.5–3% (by weight) Irganox 1076 (Ciba‐Geigy), were irradiated under nitrogen at room temperature with different doses of gamma rays from a ⁶⁰Co source. The resulting composites were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry, gel fractionation, X‐ray diffraction, and dynamic mechanical analysis. The conductivity of the composites depended on the amounts of antioxidants and the duration of the thermal ageing treatment. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 2316–2322, 2003     

Ultraviolet weathering of photostabilized wood‐flour‐filled high‐density polyethylene composites

Wood‐plastic composites are being increasingly examined for nonstructural or semistructural building applications. As outdoor applications become more widespread, durability becomes an issue. Ultraviolet exposure can lead to photodegradation, which results in a change in appearance and/or mechanical properties. Photodegradation can be slowed through the addition of photostabilizers. In this study, we examined the performance of wood flour/high‐density polyethylene composites after accelerated weathering. Two 2⁴ factorial experimental designs were used to determine the effects of two hindered amine light stabilizers, an ultraviolet absorber, a colorant, and their interactions on the photostabilization of high‐density polyethyl‐ ene blends and wood flour/high‐density polyethylene composites. Color change and flexural properties were determined after 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 h of accelerated weathering. The results indicate that both the colorant and ultraviolet absorber were more effective photostabilizers for wood flour/high‐density polyethylene composites than the hindered amine light stabilizers. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2609–2617, 2003     

Thermal,dielectric, and mechanical properties of SiC particles filled linear low‐density polyethylene composites

A thermally conductive linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) composite with silicon carbide (SiC) as filler was prepared in a heat press molding. The SiC particles distributions were found to be rather uniform in matrix at both low and high filler content due to a powder mixing process employed. Differential scanning calorimeter results indicated that the SiC filler decreases the degree of crystallinity of LLDPE, and has no obvious influence on the melting temperature of LLDPE. Experimental results demonstrated that the LLDPE composites displays a high thermal conductivity of 1.48 Wm^?1 K^?1 and improved thermal stability at 55 wt % SiC content as compared to pure LLDPE. The surface treatment of SiC particles has a beneficial effect on improving the thermal conductivity. The dielectric constant and loss increased with SiC content, however, they still remained at relatively low levels (<10² Hz); whereas, the composites showed poorer mechanical properties as compared to pure LLDPE. In addition, combined use of small amount of alumina short fiber and SiC gave rise to improved overall properties of LLDPE composites. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Impedance spectra of carbon black filled high‐density polyethylene composites

Carbon black (CB) filled high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) composites are prepared by ordinary blending for use as an electrical conductive polymer composite. The composite changes from an electrical insulator to a conductor as the CB content is increased from 10 to 20 wt %, which is called the percolation region. For explanatory purposes, three models, namely, “conduction via nonohmic contacting chain,” “conduction via ohmic contacting chain,” and a mixture of them corresponding to the conductions in the percolation region, high CB loading region, and limiting high CB loading are proposed by the reasonable configurations of aggregate resistance, contact resistance, gap capacitance, and joining aggregates induction. The characters of the impedance spectra based on the three models are theoretically analyzed. In order to find some link between the electrical conductivity and the CB dispersion manner in the composites, the impedance spectra of three samples, HDPE/15 wt % CB (the center of the percolation region), HDPE/25 wt % CB (a typical point in the high CB loading region), and HDPE/19 wt % CB (the limiting high CB loading region), are measured by plotting the impedance modulus and phase angle against the frequency and by drawing the Cole–Cole circle of the imaginary part and real part of the impedance modulus of each sample. The modeled approached spectra and the spectra measured on the three samples are compared and the following results are found: the measured impedance spectrum of HDPE/15 wt % CB (percolation region) is quite close to the model of conduction via nonohmic contacting chain. The character of the measured spectrum of HDPE/25 wt % CB consists of the form of the model of conduction via ohmic contacting chain. The impedance behavior of HDPE/19 wt % CB exhibits a mixture of the two models. From the comparisons, it is concluded that the electrical conducting network in the percolation region of the CB filled HDPE composite is composed of aggregate resistance, nonohmic contact resistance, and gap capacitance, and that of the high CB loading region consists of continuously joined CB aggregate chains, which are possibly wound and assume helix‐like (not straight lines) conductive chains, acting as electrical inductions as the current passes through. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 1344–1350, 2005     

Performance of crystallization analysis fractionation and preparative fractionation on the characterization of γ‐irradiated low‐density polyethylene

The effects of γ‐radiation on a low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) were investigated by novel techniques, such as crystallization analysis fractionation and preparative fractionation, to analyze and compare their performance with other analytical procedures such as DSC, FTIR, and GPC. The LDPE was thus irradiated with four different doses of γ‐radiation. Different fractions were obtained from these irradiated materials by preparative fractionation, which were characterized by the above‐mentioned analysis techniques. The changes in the morphology and chemical structure of LDPE after the irradiation were analyzed and it was found that both oxidative scission and crosslinking are phenomena related to the exposure of LDPE at high‐energy radiation. Crystallization analysis fractionation and preparative fractionation proved to be suitable techniques to characterize the effects of γ‐radiation on a low‐density polyethylene material. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1803–1814, 2004