SYNTHESIS AND STUDY OF COPOLYMERS OF ETHYLENE WITH HEXENE-1, MODIFIED WITH FINISHED NANOFIBERS-Al2O3 (NAFEN) WITH INCREASED RESISTANCE TO THERMAL OXIDATIVE DEGRADATION

Here we report the study on synthesis and characterization of nanocomposites obtained by in situ catalytic polymerization of ethylene and hexene-1 on metallocene catalyst in the presence of dispersed surface-functionalized -Al2O3 nanofibers (Nafen). It has been determined that surface treatment of Nafen nanofibers with organosilanes allows to obtain stable nanoscale dispersions under ultrasonication. It has been shown that nanocomposites based on copolymers of ethylene with hexene-1 demonstrate improved resistance to thermal oxidative degradation in comparison with nanocomposites based on copolymers of ethylene with propylene, while the influence of the silane chemistry on the mechanical characteristics in these nanocomposites is less pronounced. The best mechanical characteristics were achieved for nanocomposite with Nafen treated with trimethoxyvinylsilane. The melt flow index drop is observed after moderate heat treatment or combined temperature/humidity.