Characterization of Layered Double Hydroxide Modified with Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate and its Dispersion in Polyethylene

Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) was modified with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) by regeneration method. The structure of modified LDH (SDS-LDH) was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The composites of SDS-LDH and polyethylene (PE) were prepared by melt blending and solution mixing method with maleated PE (PEgMA) as compatibilizer. The structure of the composites and the dispersion of SDS-LDH in the matrix were investigated by XRD and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. The results reveal that SDS was successfully intercalated into the interlayer space of LDH. SDS-LDH was hardly exfoliated in PE/PEgMA by melt blending. The nanocomposites of PE/(PEgMA/SDS-LDH) were successfully prepared by melt blending PE with SDS-LDH/PEgMA master-batch obtained by solution mixing. Homogeneous dispersion of SDS-LDH in the matrix was observed by TEM.