Investigation into the effects of the combined addition of titanium dioxide and hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles on the properties of low‐density polyethylene and ethylene vinyl acetate blends

Abstract This study investigates the effects of the isolated and combined addition of titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanoparticles on the thermal, mechanical, and optical properties of a linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) blend. Microscopy observations showed that hBN nanoparticles coarsened the co‐continuous LLDPE/EVA morphology. Thermal analysis revealed altered properties, including increased transition temperatures and reduced stability with nanoparticle incorporation. While individual nanoparticles had minimal effects on elastic modulus ( E ), their combined use increased E by 21% compared to pure LLDPE/EVA, indicating a synergistic effect. The results suggest that the location may have influenced the UV blocking. TiO 2 , effectively dispersed in EVA, enhanced UV‐B radiation blocking, whereas hBN showed less efficacy. The combination of TiO 2 and hBN nanoparticles in LLDPE/EVA blends resulted in significant changes to the mechanical properties, suggesting a synergistic potential between the particles, with TiO 2 being particularly effective in blocking UV‐B radiation. Highlights The combination of nanoparticles altered the thermal and mechanical properties. TiO 2 showed greater effectiveness in blocking UV‐B. hBN influenced the co‐continuous morphology of the LLDPE/EVA blend. The dispersion of TiO 2 in EVA was effective in blocking UV‐B radiation. Hybrid nanocomposites resulted in a 21% increase in Young's modulus.