The influence of shaped TiO2 nanofillers on thermal properties of polyvinyl alcohol

Abstract

PVA-based nanocomposites consisting of shaped TiO2 nanocrystals (nanoparticles, nanotubes or nanorods) were synthesized by direct blending of polymer and titania nanocrystals solution or powder. In order to elucidate the influence of shape of titania nanocrystals on thermal stability of polymer matrix and particles interaction with PVA chain, structural and thermal characterizations of PVA/TiO2 nanocomposites were performed. Faceted nanoparticles increased the thermal stability of PVA matrix. Titania nanotubes and nanorods did not show any stabilizing effect on polymer matrix in argon atmosphere. The thermo-oxidative degradation temperature of PVA increased with addition of faceted TiO2 nanoparticles. The thermo-oxidative stability of the PVA matrix was affected more by the presence of titania nanotubes and nanorods in comparison with its thermal stability in inert atmosphere. The crystallinity degree (Xc=32 %) of PVA matrix slightly decreased in the presence of faceted TiO2 nanoparticles in nanocomposite sample.

Keywords

• nanocomposite materials
• thermal properties
• differential scanning calorimetry
• thermogravimetric analysis