Preparation of cross-linked PVC- g -(St-MA) copolymer/organoclay nanocomposites and investigation of chemical characteristics, morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties.

The goal of this work is to investigate the effect of incorporating organoclays on the cross-link structure, morphology, and thermomechanical properties of cross-linked organoclay/polyvinyl chloride grafted with styrene and maleic anhydride (PVC- g -(St-MA)) copolymer nanocomposites (CPN). Cloisite30B (C30B) and Cloisite15A (C15A) organoclays were used for the preparation of cross-linked PVC- g -(St-MA) nanocomposites by the solution mixing route. The nanoclay content in nanocomposites varied from 0.2 wt% to 1 wt%. The chemical structure and interaction between PVC- g -(St-MA) cross-linked segments and nanoclays were studied by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) peaks deconvolution method. FTIR spectroscopy suggested the lowest extent of hydrogen bonding interaction for C30B containing sample, which decreased with clay content increment. The morphology of nanocomposites was studied by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy methods. Morphological observation revealed a near to the exfoliation state for organoclays in PVC- g -(St-MA) nanocomposite containing 1 wt% C30B. However, C15A/PVC- g -(St-MA) nanocomposite (C15A-CPN) exhibited partially intercalated and agglomerated morphology. Differential scanning calorimetry examination was conducted to measure the glass transition temperature (T g) of the segments. At the same clay content, the T g of the C30B containing nanocomposites were higher than that of C15A samples. The mechanical properties of these nanocomposites were also investigated. As a consequence, C30B-CPN showed improved mechanical properties compared to C15A-CPN and cross-linked PVC- g -(St-MA) samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]