Preparation of Polyethylene/Graphene Nanocomposites with Octadecylamine-Modified Graphene Oxide-MgCl-Supported Ziegler–Natta Catalyst

In this work, an octadecylamine-modified graphene oxide (ODA-GO)-MgCl-supported Ziegler–Natta catalyst was synthesized by reacting ODA-GO with a Grignard reagent, followed by anchoring TiCl₄ to the structure. The effect of the ODA-GO on the catalyst morphology and ethylene polymerization behavior was examined. The resultant polyethylene (PE)/ODA-GO nanocomposites directly mirrored the catalyst morphology by forming a layered morphology, and the ODA-GO fillers were well dispersed in the PE matrix and showed strong interfacial adhesion with it. The resultant PE/ODA-GO nanocomposites exhibited better thermal stability and mechanical properties than neat PE, even with a small amount of ODA-GO added. Thus, this work provides a facile approach to the production of high-performance PE.