Phase Selective Migration of MWCNTs and Its Effect on Physico‐Mechanical Attributes of HDPE/Plasticized UHMWPE/MWCNTs Nanocomposites

ABSTRACT This work emphasizes the role of selective relocations of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) across the interface of partially miscible co‐continuous phases of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) and plasticized ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (p‐UHMWPE) with difference in their melt viscosity 10 3 –10 4 Pas. Thermal, melt and solid state rheological, morphological, quasi‐static mechanical aspects were utilized. Hard paraffin wax (H5) was used to plasticize the UHMWPE. Nanocomposites (NCs) were prepared by following two steps: (1) batch mixing of UHMWPE, H5 wax, antioxidants, and probe sonicated MWCNTs in ethanol with varying concentrations (0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 phr) slurry; (2) melt compounding of HDPE as matrix and batch mixtures as domain using a twin screw extruder at a fixed ratio of 80:20. Shifting of peak degradation temperatures (−35°C) of nanocomposites indicates the movements footprint of MWCNTs. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy micrographs confirm the predictions of MWCNTs' transportations. MWCNTs inclusion improved the zero‐sheared viscosity as well as the shear thinning behavior against apparent shear rate. Higher content of MWCNTs reduces tensile, flexural, and impact properties. Dynamic mechanical analysis reflected an improvement in the interfacial and interphase adhesion via quantified entanglement densities in the rubbery regime.