Polyethylene thermal oxidative stabilisation in carbon nanotubes based nanocomposites

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNT)/linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) nanocomposites were studied in order to understand the stabilisation mechanism for their thermal and oxidative degradation. Thermogravimetry coupled with infrared evolved gas analysis and pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry demonstrate that MWNT presence slightly delays thermal volatilisation (15–20 °C) without modification of thermal degradation mechanism. Whereas thermal oxidative degradation in air is delayed by about 100 °C independently from MWNT concentration in the range used here (0.5–3.0 wt.%). The stabilisation is due to formation of a thin protective film of MWNT/carbon char composite generated on the surface of the nanocomposites is shown by SEM and ATR FTIR of degradation residues. The film formation mechanism is discussed.