Stabilized polyolefin nanocomposites

1. A heat stabilized polyolefin nanocomposite, comprising:

(a) polyolefin,

(b) organoclay,

(c) compatibilizer, and

(d) metal scavenger that stabilize the nanocomposite against heat, wherein the metal scavenger is selected from the group consisting of propionates, hydrazines, EDTAs, tetrahydroxylpropyl ethylenediamine, lignosulfonates, stearoy lactylates, pyridine, methacrylates, tris(nonvlphengl)phosphate, phenol, 4,4′-thiobis 2-(1,1-dimethylethyl) phosphite; tristearvl phosphate, tris neodol-25 phosphite, 4,4′-isopropylidenediphenol alkyl phosphate, and combinations thereof.

2. The nanocomposite of claim 1 , wherein the polyolefin comprises homopolymers, copolymers, blends of polymers, mixtures of polymers, alloys of polymers, or combinations thereof,

wherein at least one of the polymers is polymerized from an olefin monomer having from 2 to about 8 carbon atoms.

3. The nanocomposite of claim 1 , wherein the polyolefin comprises low-density polyethylene, high-density, high molecular weight polyethylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, linear-low-density polyethylene, very-low density polyethylene, maleated polypropylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polyhexene, polyoctene, ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA) copolymer, and mixtures, blends or alloys thereof.

4. The nanocomposite of claim 1 , wherein the organoclay is a montmorillonite clay intercalated with an organic or semi-organic chemical capable of entering the montmorillonite clay gallery and bonding to the surface.

5. The nanocomposite of claim 1 , wherein the compatibilizer is a maleated polypropylene.

6. The nanocomposite of claim 1 , wherein the metal scavenger is selected from the group consisting of 2,2′-oxalyldiamidobis[ethyl 3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate, 1,2-bis(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyhydro cinnamoyl)hydrazine, disodium EDTA, sodium ferric EDTA, tetraammonium EDTA, tetrasodium EDTA, trisodium EDTA, sodium lignosulfonate, calcium stearoyl lactylate, sodium stearoyl lactylates, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, and combinations thereof.

7. The nanocomposite of claim 1 , further comprising a UV stabilizer.

8. The nanocomposite of claim 1 , further comprising an optional additive selected from the group consisting of adhesion promoters; biocides (antibacterials, fungicides, and mildewcides), anti-fogging agents; anti-static agents; bonding, blowing and foaming agents; dispersants; fillers and extenders; fire and flame retardants and smoke suppressants; impact modifiers; initiators; lubricants; micas; pigments, colorants and dyes; plasticizers; processing aids; release agents; silanes, titanates and zirconates; slip and anti-blocking agents; stabilizers; stearates; ultraviolet light absorbers; viscosity regulators; waxes; and combinations thereof.

9. The nanocomposite of claim 1 , further comprising an impact modifier selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, polyisoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), ethylene-propylene copolymers, ethylene-hexene copolymers, ethylene-octene copolymers, and combinations thereof.

10. The nanocomposite of claim 1 , further comprising an optional polymer selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyimides, polycarbonates, polyesters, polysulfones, polylactones, polyacetals, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resins (ABS), polyphenyleneoxide (PPO), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polystyrene, styrene-acrylonitrile resins (SAN), styrene maleic anhydride resins (SMA), aromatic polyketones (PEEK, PEK, and PEKK) and mixtures thereof.

11. An article made from the heat stabilized polyolefin nanocomposite of claim 1 .

12. The article of claim 11 , further comprising a UV stabilizer.

13. The article of claim 11 , further comprising an optional additive selected from the group consisting of adhesion promoters; biocides (antibacterials, fungicides, and mildewcides), anti-fogging agents; anti-static agents; bonding, blowing and foaming agents; dispersants; fillers and extenders; fire and flame retardants and smoke suppressants; impact modifiers; initiators; lubricants; micas; pigments, colorants and dyes; plasticizers; processing aids; release agents; silanes, titanates and zirconates; slip and anti-blocking agents; stabilizers; stearates; ultraviolet light absorbers; viscosity regulators; waxes; and combinations of them.

14. The article of claim 11 , further comprising an impact modifier selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, polyisoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), ethylene-propylene copolymers, ethylene-hexene copolymers, ethylene-octene copolymers, and combinations thereof.

15. The article of claim 11 , further comprising an optional polymer selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyimides, polycarbonates, polyesters, polysulfones, polylactones, polyacetals, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resins (ABS), polyphenyleneoxide (PPO), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polystyrene, styrene-acrylonitrile resins (SAN), styrene maleic anhydride resins (SMA), aromatic polyketones (PEEK, PEK, and PEKK) and mixtures thereof.

16. The article of claim 11 , wherein the polyolefin comprises low-density polyethylene, high-density, high molecular weight polyethylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, linear-low-density polyethylene, very-low density polyethylene, maleated polypropylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polyhexene, polyoctene, ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA) copolymer, and mixtures, blends or alloys thereof.

17. The article of claim 11 , wherein the organoclay is a montmorillonite clay intercalated with an organic or semi-organic chemical capable of entering the montmorillonite clay gallery and bonding to the surface and wherein the compatibilizer is a maleated polypropylene.

18. The article of claim 11 , wherein the metal scavenger is selected from the group consisting of 2,2′-oxalyldiamidobis[ethyl 3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate, 1,2-bis(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamoyl)hydrazine, disodium EDTA, sodium ferric EDTA, tetraammonium EDTA, tetrasodium EDTA, trisodium EDTA, sodium lignosulfonate, calcium stearoyl lactylate, sodium stearoyl lactylates, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, and combinations thereof.