Effect of nanofillers on the crystalline and mechanical properties of EVACO polymer nanocomposites

Abstract

In this work, the effect of different fillers on the crystalline and mechanical properties of the poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate-co-carbon monoxide) (EVACO) terpolymer composite is studied systematically. Alumina trihydrate nanoparticles (nano-ATH), halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), and the multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are the representative fillers used in the present study. The surface of MWCNTs are decorated using carbonyl, however, nano-ATH and HNTs are used without any surface treatment. The mechanical properties of the composites are evaluated using a tensile test and the improvement in the mechanical properties can be correlated to the improvement in the crystallinity in the composite. The presence of nanofillers in the EVACO matrix significantly influenced the crystallinity, which was determined by X-ray diffraction. The fractography studies reveal the presence of agglomerates at high filler loading results in the subsequent reduction in the tensile properties. Interestingly, the MWCNTs at very low filler loading significantly enhances the tensile properties of EVACO. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.