Reactive extrusion of post-irradiated poly(ethylene terephthalate) to improve the interfacial interactions in compounding with its immiscible polyethylene blends

The aggregation of plastic waste results in immiscible polymer blends with inferior properties. This study explores the application of irradiation technology on polymer processing for its potential to increase the compatibility of immiscible polymer blends composed of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). When PET is radiated, it undergoes chain-scission reactions resulting in the formation of free radicals. The extended lifespan of these free radicals in post-irradiated PET provides an opportunity for inducing interface reactions with LLDPE during compounding through reactive extrusion. PET was irradiated with up to 50 and 200 kGy irradiation absorbance doses of gamma irradiation and then compounded with LLDPE in a twin-screw extruder at three blend compositions. Analysis of rheological, morphological, and mechanical properties demonstrates the compatibility improvement in this immiscible polymer blend attributed to irradiation-induced free radical interface reactions using post-irradiated PET up to 50 kGy to conduct the reactive extrusion process.Highlights Reactive extrusion process with post-irradiated PET. Formation of interface reactions. Improving the compatibility of immiscible polymer blend. The poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/linear low-density polyethylene blend's compatibility improved via irradiation-induced free radical interface reactions through a reactive extrusion process with post-irradiated PET up to 50 kGy. image