Functionalized h-BN nanosheets with bonded interface for enhanced compressive strength of HDPE nanocomposite

This article investigated the static and dynamic compressive strength of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) nanocomposites reinforced with functionalized h-BN nanosheets. The interface plays a crucial role in enhancing the mechanical strength of nanocomposites. The non-bonded interface is considered as a weak link in transferring mechanical load from matrix to nano-reinforcement. The aim of this article is to enhance the interfacial strength between the h-BN nanosheets and HDPE. In this work, deformation governing mechanism of nanocomposite was visualized using experimental techniques in conjunction with classical molecular dynamics-based simulations. In order to create bonded interface, h-BN nanosheets were functionalized with (3-Aminopropyl) tri-ethoxy-silane group and was later on used for reinforcing the grafted HDPE. The effect of strain rate on the compressive strength of nanocomposite was investigated using Split Hopkinson pressure bar. As compared to non-functionalized, functionalized interface efficiently transfers the shock front energy from the HDPE to h-BN nanosheets and enhances the shock resistance of the nanocomposite. Effect of strain rate on the nanocomposite was studied under two strain rates. At the lower value of strain rate ( $$\dot{\varepsilon }\cong 1250\,{ \text{s}}^{-1})$$ the enhancement in yield strength and elastic modulus of the nanocomposite with functionalized interface is ~ 106% and ~ 155%, respectively. Similarly, at the higher strain rate ( $$\dot{\varepsilon }\cong 2250\,{\text{s}}^{-1})$$ the improvement in yield strength and elastic modulus was ~ 154% and ~ 160%, respectively. In static compressive analysis, the effect of functionalization was not as effective as in dynamics analysis. It was observed that the compression modulus improved in nanocomposite with functionalized interface. Atomistic simulations performed in conjunction with reactive force field also capture a similar kind of trend for compressive strength of nanocomposite with functionalized and non-functional interfaces. The developed nanocomposite with enhanced strength against high strain rate loading can be employed in aerospace and automobile sectors.