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The Effect of Maleated Compatibilizers on the Structure and Properties of EVOH/Clay Nanocomposites

The effect of compatibilizers on the blending torque, crystallization behavior, intercalation level, thermal stability and morphology of EVOH/treated clay systems was investigated. Maleic anhydride-grafted ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA-g-MA) or maleic anhydride-grafted linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE-g-MA) were used as compatibilizers of EVOH with clay, in various concentrations (1, 5 and 10 wt%). The blends were processed using Brabender Plastograph and characterized by XRD, SEM, DSC, DMTA and TGA. X-ray diffraction shows advanced intercalation within the galleries when the compatibilizers were added. Unique results were obtained for the EVOH/clay/compatibilizer systems, owing to a high level of interaction developed in these systems, which plays a major role. Thermal analysis showed that with increasing compatibilizer content, lower crystallinity levels result, until at a certain content no crystallization has taken place. Significantly higher viscosity levels were obtained for the EVOH/clay blends compared to the neat polymer, as seen by a dramatic torque increase when processed in the Brabender machine. The DMTA spectra showed lower T g values for the compatibilized nanocomposites compared to the neat EVOH and the uncompatibilized composites. Storage modulus was higher compared to the uncompatibilized EVOH/clay blend when EVA-g-MA compatibilizer was added (at all concentrations), and only at low contents of LLDPE-g-MA. TGA results show significant improvement of the blends thermal stability compared to the neat EVOH, and to the uncompatibilized blend, indicating an advanced intercalation.