Publications

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) composite has been synthesized with promising characteristics. WO3 of different particle sizes were obtained through a high speed ball milling techniques at different milling times (15 min, 30 min, 60 min, and 120 min). The resulted particle size was identified using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope and was found to be decreased with the increase of milling time. Bulk micro-sized WO3 (Sample A) and two selected WO3 nanoparticles 45 nm (Sample B) and 24 nm (Sample C) were characterized by scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Various amounts (10 mass%, 15 mass%, 25 mass%, and 35 mass%) of filler (Samples A, B, and C) were incorporated within HDPE and prepared via compression molding technique. The effect of particle size and mass fraction of the thermal properties of the composite was evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The results indicated that the addition of WO3 particles altered the thermal stability and crystallinity, while did not affect the melting temperature HDPE composites. The incorporation of either nano-sized particles WO3 NPs(B) or (C) up to 25 mass% enhanced the thermal stability of the composites. With respect to pure HDPE, DSC results indicated that the degree of crystallinity increased by the incorporation of WO3 filler due to the nucleation of HDPE. This improvement in the thermal properties of the nanocomposites suggests promising applications in radiation shielding and industry such as coating, barriers, catalysis, photo corrosion, and photothermal conversion.