▎ 摘　　要

Vinyl trimethoxysilane (VTMOS) functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was melt blended with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and cross-linked through the vinyl group using a free radical initiator, dicumyl peroxide (DCP), in an extruder. The cross-linking reaction of the pendant vinyl group on the silane with LDPE via peroxide initiation was confirmed by solid-state magic angle spinning (MAS) C-13 and Si-29 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. The Raman spectrum of the cross-linked VTMOS-rGO and LDPE confirmed the formation of a 3D network. Scanning electron (SEM) and transmission electron (TEM) microscopy with elemental mapping showed the VTMOS forms nanospheres located interstitially between rGO layers dispersed within the LDPE matrix. From oscillatory rheology measurements, the transition to more "solid-like" behavior due to cross-linking was detected from a significant decrease in the crossover frequency (G' vs G '') from 31.6 to as low as 0.603 rad/s and an increase in relaxation times (lambda) from 0.032 to 1.66 s for a rGO loading of 1 wt %. The formation of a 3D interconnected cross-linked VTMOS-rGO-LDPE network resulted in an increase in the tensile strength (up arrow 31%) and tensile stress at break (up arrow 55%) of LDPE. The onset of thermal degradation of LDPE was delayed by up to 31 degrees C due to the formation of cross-links and inclusion of silane functionalized rGO which requires a higher activation energy to initiate degradation.