Preparation and Characterization of a Novel Anticorrosion Material: Cu/LLDPE Nanocomposites

Abstract

A novel anticorrosion material, copper/linear low density polyethylene (Cu/LLDPE) nanocomposites, was prepared via melt-blend technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS), salt spray test, thermogravimetric analysis (TG), mechanical properties test and bactericidal properties test were employed to character the resultant nanocomposites. The results of XRD and SEM showed that the nanocomposites were a hybrid of the polymer and the copper nanoparticles, and the copper nanoparticles were distributed uniformly in general. The results of salt spay test showed that nano-Cu in LLDPE could react with permeated oxygen, leading to the improvement of anticorrosion properties of the Cu/LLDPE nanocomposites. The results of mechanical properties test and TG analysis indicated that the presence of a small amount of nano-Cu (no more than 5 mass%) could enhance the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the nanocomposites and excessive nano-Cu would cause performance degradation. The bactericidal properties evaluation showed that the bactericidal ability of the Cu/LLDPE nanocomposites increased with nano-Cu content remarkably.