Effect of Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanoplatelet on Crystal Nucleation, Mechanical Behavior, and Thermal Stability of High‐Density Polyethylene‐Based Nanocomposites

Abstract

Abstract Hexagonal boron nitride nanoplatelets (BNNP) significantly enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of high‐density polyethylene. In order to ensure superior dispersibility of BNNP, two different techniques, colloidal solution, and solvent blending, are used for fabricating nanocomposites. Compared to solvent blending, the colloidal solution‐based fabrication technique has superior dispersion capabilities for nanofillers in the PE matrix, which helps in improving the thermal stability and crystallinity in synthesized nanocomposites. A significant increase in the rate of crystallization of polyethylene (PE) is reported at 1% weight fraction of BNNP, which further increases with the increase in weight percentage of BNNP. BNNP acts as a new source of nucleating sites for crystallization in PE that also reduces the size of secondary structures spherulites. Enhanced tensile strength and Young’s modulus of BNNP/PE nanocomposites are reported with the increase in weight contribution of BNNP in the range of 1% to 5%.