Pigmentation and Degradative Activity of TiO2 on Polyethylene Films Using Masterbatches Fabricated Using Variable-Frequency Ultrasound-Assisted Melt-Extrusion

Ultrasound-assisted melt-extrusion method (USME) is a high-quality process used to produce polymeric compounds with an adequate homogeneous dispersion. This study evaluates white-color films of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) prepared using TiO₂ masterbatch obtained by ultrasound-assisted melt-extrusion at variable frequencies (USME-VF). LLDPE with three different melt-flow indices (2, 20 and 50 g/10 min) were used as the polymer matrix. The films were obtained from the dilution of masterbatches of LLDPE (melt-flow index = 2) at a concentration of 7 wt% TiO₂. The morphology, pigmentation, TiO₂ reactivity, and the mechanical stability of the films were assessed. The masterbatch compounds were evaluated by melt-flow index (MFI) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The contrast ratio, yellowness index and mechanical properties of films were also measured. The properties of whiteness and elongation at break improved in the films prepared using masterbatches with higher dispersion. Though the reactivity of the TiO₂ particles increased during accelerated aging, it did not affect the elongation to rupture. The yellowness index was moderately affected in films that included TiO₂ particles processed using USME-VF.

Ultrasound-Assist Extrusion Methods for the Fabrication of Polymer Nanocomposites Based on Polypropylene/Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes

Isotactic polypropylenes (iPP) with different melt flow indexes (MFI) were used to fabricate nanocomposites (NCs) with 10 wt % loadings of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using ultrasound-assisted extrusion methods to determine their effect on the morphology, melt flow, and electrical properties of the NCs. Three different types of iPPs were used with MFIs of 2.5, 34 and 1200 g/10 min. Four different NC fabrication methods based on melt extrusion were used. In the first method melt extrusion fabrication without ultrasound assistance was used. In the second and third methods, an ultrasound probe attached to a hot chamber located at the exit of the die was used to subject the sample to fixed frequency and variable frequency, respectively. The fourth method is similar to the first method, with the difference being that the carbon nanotubes were treated in a fluidized air-bed with an ultrasound probe before being used in the fabrication of the NCs with no ultrasound assistance during extrusion. The samples were characterized by MFI, Optical microscopy (OM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electrical surface resistivity, and electric charge. MFI decreases in all cases with addition of MWCNTs with the largest decrease observed for samples with the highest MFI. The surface resistivity, which ranged from 10¹³ to 10⁵ Ω/sq, and electric charge, were observed to depend on the ultrasound-assisted fabrication method as well as on the melt flow index of the iPP. A relationship between agglomerate size and area ratio with electric charge was found. Several trends in the overall data were identified and are discussed in terms of MFI and the different fabrication methods.