Fabrication of Polyethylene/MoS2 nanocomposites using a novel exfoliated-MoS2-MgCl Bi-supported Ziegler-Natta catalyst via in-situ polymerization

A novel exfoliated-MoS2 (EMoS2)-MgCl bi-supported Ziegler-Natta catalyst was synthesized by the reaction of Grignard reagent and EMoS2, followed by anchoring with TiCl4. The tendency of the individual EMoS2 layers to aggregate was prevented by covering them with solid-state Ziegler-Natta catalyst. The resultant catalyst was applied to ethylene polymerization, forming polyethylene (PE)/EMoS2 organic-inorganic hybrid nanocomposites. The resultant products had a flake-shape morphology, with EMoS2 well dispersed in the PE matrix. In addition, the thermal stability and mechanical properties of PE were significantly enhanced by the introduction of EMoS2.