Thermal and mechanical properties of alkyl-functionalized nanodiamond composites

Polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) consisting of low density polyethylene as a matrix and alkyl-functionalized nanodiamonds as fillers were prepared, and their thermal and mechanical properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and atomic force microscopy nanoindentation. It was observed that thermo-mechanical properties of PNCs depend strongly on the chain length of functional groups as well as the filler content. The experimental findings were analyzed by the effect of interfacial interactions on the elastic modulus of the nanocomposites.

► Polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) were synthesized with low density polyethylene and alkyl-functionalized nanodiamonds.
► Thermo-mechanical properties of PNCs depend strongly on the chain length of functional groups as well as the filler content.
► ND-ethylhexyl was observed as an excellent nanofiller for polyethylene as a reinforcing source.