The effect of modified nanosilica particles on a model low-density polyethylene (LDPE)–ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) based thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) blend system is explored in this article. Modified nanosilica particles were melt-blended with the LDPE-EVA system at 1.5, 3, and 5 wt% loadings through the variation of the sequence of addition. The blends were compression molded, and their morphological, rheological, mechanical and thermal properties were evaluated. The properties of the blend do not depend much on the preparation procedure. The morphological and rheological studies clearly indicated that modified silica had a homogeneous dispersion in the bicomponent polymer matrix leading to strengthening of silica–polymer interface. The incorporation of mSiO2 produced a drastic improvement in Young’s modulus (up to 60%) as compared to the control blend. The thermal stability also increased significantly upon addition of modified nanosilica in all samples irrespective of the sequence of addition. Keywords: modified silica nanoparticle, blends, dispersions, morphology, nanocompositesCite this Article Hui S. Exploring the effect of modified nanosilica on a model LDPE–EVA-based TPE system. Nanotrends: A Journal of Nanotechnology and Its Applications. 2015; 17(3): 6–16p.
