<scp>NiZn</scp> Nanoparticles‐Reinforced <scp>HDPE</scp> Composites: Structure–Property Relationships

Abstract

ABSTRACT HDPE nanocomposites reinforced with Ni‐Zn ferrite (5% to 20%) filler were successfully created and characterized in terms of their structural, morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties. The development of a highly crystalline cubic spinel NiZn phase was validated by structural investigation. The NiZn volume percentage increased from 5.79% to 21.78% as the filler content increased, whereas the HDPE content decreased in tandem. While minor expansions in HDPE, lattice parameters suggested interfacial strain and nanoscale structural relaxation, the average crystallite size shrank from 39.31 to 28.04 nm. Significant reinforcement was shown in the mechanical testing at all strain rates. Young's modulus rose from 144.35 MPa for clean HDPE to 198.56 MPa for 20 wt% NiZn, and then to 232.14 MPa at 20 mm/min, an approximate 38% increase at 5 mm/min. Additionally, yield stress rose significantly from 16.48 to 28.62 MPa. But at higher loadings, elongation at break decreased significantly from 536% to about 34%, indicating decreased ductility brought on by stiff filler networks and particle agglomeration. T 5% increased from 425.85°C to 435.98°C, indicating improved thermal stability, according to thermogravimetric study. Overall, HDPE's stiffness, strength, and heat resistance are successfully increased by NiZn nanoparticles; the best mechanical performance is seen at filler loadings of 7.5–10 wt%.