Synthesis and characterization of modified kaolinite/poly(vinyl chloride) nanocomposites via solvent blending method

Abstract

Clay-polymer nanocomposites (CPN) developed in recent years asa new type of inorganic–organic hybrid materials that were con-ceived for medical uses such as tissue engineering or drug delivery[1],[2]. The understanding of the structure and physico-chemicalproperties of CPN is a first step in the investigation of biomateri-als, but their potential in this respect is determined by their inter-action with living tissue components. In this study, pure kaolinitewas intercalated with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and then inter-calated kaolinite was modified pyridine, 2-amino pyridine and2,6-diamino pyridine to expand the interlayer basal spacing. Mod-ified kaolinite samples as filler and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)polymer as matrix were used in the nanocomposite synthesis.Nanocomposites of PVC have been prepared by solvent blendingmethod using THF as a solvent. The material characterizationswere carried out by XRD, AFM, FTIR-ATR, DTA/TG andDSC. The XRD results reveal the formation of intercalation/exfo-liation of modified kaolinite in the PVC matrix. FTIR and AFMresults confirm the presence of nanomaterial in kaolinite/PVCnanocomposites. TGA data show that the modified kaolinit/PVCnanocomposites have significant enhanced thermal stability. Theglass transition temperature (Tg) of PVC nanocomposites ishigher than that of pure PVC. In addition, the antimicrobialactivity of clay-polymer composites were also determined.