PVC nanocomposites based on the organoclay obtained by intercalation and cointercalation
Lucie Kovarova, Alena Kalendova, Jiri Malac, Josef Simonik
Tomas Bata University in Zlin
Czech Republic

Keywords: nanocomposites, intercalation, montmorillonite

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Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is one of the most important thermoplastics owing to its wide applications and low cost. Although many of polymer/clay nanocomposites have been reported, less attention has been given to PVC/clay nanocomposites.
Two types of clays – Cloisite 30B and Na+ montmorillonite were intercalated and cointercalated with PVC plasticizers (both of low and high molecular weight) and next various agents. The basal spacing d(00l) of treated clays was determined by XRD analysis. Molecular modelling calculations were applied to the Coisite30B/dioctyl phthalate(DOP) intercalation systems with different concentrations of PVC plasticizer. PVC nanocomposites based on the montmorillonite organofilized by intercalation and cointercalation were prepared by melt compounding in KO-kneader. In accordance with theoretical prediction, XRD analysis, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) applied to compounded structures have proved that high degree of the organoclay exfoliation was achieved in most samples. A positive influence of intercalated and cointercalated clays on flame resistance, thermomechanical, barrier and other properties was observed as well.