Modification of Clay with L-Leucine and TiO2 with Silane Coupling Agent for Preparation of Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)/Organo-Nanoclay/Modified TiO2 Nanocomposites Film

Abstract

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/organo-nanoclay/modified-TiO₂ nanocomposites films were fabricated by dispersion of modified TiO₂ on the surface of organo-nanoclay in a poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix via an ultrasonic process followed by solution film casting. For this purpose surface-modified TiO₂ nano-particles were added into the poly(vinyl alcohol)/organo-modified Cloisite Na + nanocomposites matrix with 10 wt% organonanoclay. For the improvement of nanoparticles dispersion and increasing possible interactions between nano-particles and polymeric matrix, the surface of the nano-TiO₂ was modified with silane coupling agent (KH550). Also, the negative charge on the silica layer can play an important role in dispersing nanosized TiO₂. Three nanocomposites with different loading of modified-TiO₂ (1, 3 and 6 wt%) were prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission type scanning electron microscope, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and UV-Vis transmission spectra. In morphological images it was observed that the OMMT was dispersed homogeneously in PVA matrix and modified TiO₂ nanoparticles are regularly dispersed on whole surface of organo-nanoclay layers. TGA results show that thermal stability of poly(vinyl alcohol)/organoclay/modified TiO₂ nanocomposites are enhanced compared with neat PVA.

Keywords:

• NANOCLAY
• NANOCOMPOSITE
• TIO2 NANOPARTICLES
• SURFACE TREATMENT
• THERMOGRAVIMETRIC ANALYSIS