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

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%.