Nonisothermal Crystallization Kinetic of LLDPE/Diatomite/Graphene Nanocomposites Using an Isoconversional Approach

Abstract

[Abstract] Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), a semicrystalline polymer featuring short-chain branched architectures, displays crystallization behavior that is highly sensitive to molecular topology and processing conditions. In this study, the nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of LLDPE composites filled with diatomite (DE), graphene (G), and their hybrid (DE/G) were investigated via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The Mo method and Vyazovkin’s isoconversional approach were employed to determine the crystallization kinetic parameters. The results indicate that G exerts the most significant nucleation effect on LLDPE crystallization, reducing the crystallization activation energy by 30 kJ/mol, and t1/2 decreases from 0.78 to 0.48 min, and the crystallization rate increases by approximately a factor of 1.63 at a cooling rate of 15 K/min. These variations are primarily attributed to the influence of G on the crystallization rate and melting point of LLDPE.