HDPE/Cu-nanofiber nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical and UV stability properties

In the present study HDPE nanocomposites containing different amounts of copper nanofibers were prepared by melt mixing on a Haake-Buchler Reomixer. From SEM micrographs it was found that there is a fine dispersion of nanofibers into HDPE matrix. Tensile strength at break was unaffected from the addition of nanoparticles and only Young’s modulus was enhanced. All nanocomposites in the form of thin films were exposed to UV irradiation at 280 nm for several days. As it was verified from FTIR measurements the mechanism of photo-oxidation consists of macromolecular chain scission, formation of compounds with unsaturated, hydroxyl and carbonyl end groups as well. Also, from FTIR spectroscopy and variation of mechanical properties it was concluded that the addition of Cu-nanofibers enhances the UV stability of HDPE. From acoustic microscopy it was verified that the UV degradation is an oxygen diffusion process and the addition of Cu-nanofibers delays its progress.