Preparation, Characterization, and Evaluation of Poly( p -azidoaniline) as Thermal Stabilizer for Low Density Polyethylene Films.

A series of electrically conducting low density polyethylene/poly(p-azidoaniline) blends containing different loadings of poly(p-azidoaniline) was prepared. The resistance of these blends to accelerated thermal oxidation at 90°C for different time intervals was investigated. The thermal degradation mechanism was determined by attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared technique. The values of melting temperature (Tm), enthalpy of fusion (ΔHm), and degree of crystallinity showed significant increase upon poly(p-azidoaniline) addition. X-ray diffraction patterns also confirmed increase in degree of crystallinity upon blend formation. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy observations showed efficient thermal stabilization of low density polyethylene/poly(p-azidoaniline) blends. The mechanical properties showed significant role of poly(p-azidoaniline) as thermal stabilizer for low density polyethylene. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]