Synthesis of a linear low‐density polyethylene/MgO@Mg(OH)2 nanocomposite using modified in situ polymerization

Abstract Composites of linear low‐density polyethylene were obtained in toluene slurry by in situ copolymerization of ethylene and 1‐octene in the presence of untreated magnesium oxide–hydroxide nanoparticles (MgO@Mg(OH) 2 ) of ±50 nm and such treated with dibutylmagnesium (DBM) as support for a bis( n ‐butylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride–methylaluminoxane (MAO) catalyst system. Treatment of the nanoparticles with DBM (0.5–6 mmol g −1 MgO@Mg(OH) 2 ) allows one to decrease the amount of MAO by 1.2 mmol Al g −1 MgO@Mg(OH) 2 , while reaching the same average catalyst activity and a finer distribution of the particles. Energy‐dispersive X‐ray mapping shows that the MAO is mainly associated with the filler. The crystallinity of the matrix polymer decreases with filler content. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry