Effect of nanoclay on the morphology and properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)/high‐density polyethylene blends

The effect of nanoclay on the morphology and properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) blends was studied. A scanning electron microscopy study of the PMMA/HDPE (70/30 w/w) blends with nanoclay indicated a reduction in the average domain sizes of the dispersed HDPE phase and, hence, a better extent of mixing compared to that of the blends without any nanoclay. An X‐ray diffraction study and transmission electron microscopy revealed the localization of intercalated nanoclay in the PMMA matrix of the PMMA/HDPE (70/30 w/w) blend. However, the same effect of clay was not observed in the PMMA/HDPE (30/70 w/w) blend when HDPE became the matrix. In the PMMA/HDPE (30/70 w/w) blend, the addition of nanoclay increased the domain size of the dispersed PMMA domains by preferential location of the clays inside the PMMA domains. The addition of polyethylene‐grafted maleic anhydride in both compositions of the PMMA/HDPE blend effectively reduced the domain size of the disperse phases in the blend. However, the presence of clay increased the tensile strength and storage modulus of the PMMA/HDPE blends in both blend compositions. Thus, in the PMMA/HDPE blend, the clay platelets acted as a effective compatibilizer as long as they were dispersed mainly in the matrix phase. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010