Non-isothermal crystallization and thermal degradation kinetics of MXene/linear low-density polyethylene nanocomposites

Abstract

A novel two-dimensional material MXene was used to synthesize nanocomposites with linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). The influence of MXene on crystallization and thermal degradation kinetics of LLDPE was investigated. Non-isothermal crystallization kinetics was investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The experimental data was analyzed by Jeziorny theory and the Mo method. It is found that MXene acted as a nucleating agent during the non-isothermal crystallization process, and 2 wt% MXene incorporated in the nanocomposites could accelerate the crystallization rate. Findings from activation energy calculation for non-isothermal crystallization came to the same conclusion. Thermal gravity (TG) analysis of MXene/LLDPE nanocomposites was conducted at different heating rates, and the TG thermograms suggested the nanocomposites showed an improvement in thermal stability. Apparent activation energy (Ea) of thermal degradation was calculated by the Kissinger method, and Ea values of nanocomposites were higher than that of pure LLDPE. The existence of MXene seems to lead to better thermal stability in composites.